5 Cleveland Browns who need a dominant training camp to survive
By John Suchan
Player No. 3: Cleveland Browns RB D’Ernest Johnson
D’Ernest Johnson should make this team’s final roster going into Week 1. He had a great season a year ago and filled in for both Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt several times and delivered.
He’s currently training and attending these OTA’s and will likely be at mini training camp in two weeks even though he still hasn’t signed his contract which is a tendered $2.4 million deal.
Part of the hesitation in Johnson not signing the deal yet is the fact that the Browns are stacked at running back and the team will likely have to part ways with one or two of them.
Cleveland surprised many when they drafted Jerome Ford out of Cincinnati late in this season’s draft. You also have Demetric Felton and John Kelly Jr. coming to camp as well.
Johnson could catch on with a new team and potentially be the new team’s lead running back. That speaks to the talent that the Browns have obtained at that position.
I believe either Johnson lands with a new team right before the start of the regular season or I still contend Hunt could be on the trading block as there will be other teams in desperate need of a No. 1 back and Hunt fills that void.