Duke Johnson is drawing trade interest
Cleveland’s Duke Johnson is drawing trade interest from multiple teams, but the Browns should keep the versatile running back.
It is being reported that the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles are interested in Duke Johnson. Interest in Johnson is understandable. Johnson has shown that he can be an electric playmaker in the NFL. The only issue with Johnson has been his injury history. While he has not missed games in his career, Johnson frequently exits games early with an injury of some sort. Even with all of this the Browns should keep Duke Johnson in Cleveland.
There have been times where Duke Johnson has left some to be desired when on the field. Either due to injuries or the coaching staff not using him properly. Although there are those moments when Johnson makes a dynamic play and it is apparent why Cleveland draft him several years ago. The issue is that Johnson has not lived up to his potential in Cleveland. But again, this could be due to misuse by the coaching staff. Most notably the two and a half year run of Hue Jackson.
The idea of a player like Duke Johnson may be greater than what the actual on-field product is. Sometimes that is the issue with someone like Johnson. Their skill-level and talent is greater than what happens on the field. That being said, the Cleveland Browns should not trade Duke Johnson.
Trading Duke Johnson creates a vacancy on the roster that will be hard to fill
The options for the Cleveland Browns to replace Duke Johnson are not great. There are lots of aging running backs who will cost significantly more than the team-friendly contract extension signed last year. While the team could draft a running back, they did just that last year with Nick Chubb. Adding another young running back may not be the wisest decision moving forward. The team needs a veteran in the backfield for others lean on when things get tough.
There is also the issue of Kareem Hunt. Hunt’s status for this season is extremely questionable. What, if anything Hunt will be able to add to the Browns will be quite limited and relying on Hunt to come in and save the day is not the best strategy. Whatever production the team gets from Kareem Hunt should be considered as a bonus and not counted on to carry the team.
Unless John Dorsey can work some magic in regards to a trade of Duke Johnson or is able to find someone who is as productive, if not more productive a trade of the versatile running back should not happen. Especially considering the fact that if a trade rumor springs up about a player on the roster and multiple teams are interested, it may be because that player is good and a trade should be reconsidered.
At the end of the day it will be easier to better utilize Duke Johnson rather than replace him. That is what the Cleveland Browns need to remember this offseason.
