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Rams News: Comparing big name running backs from 2015 draft

By Kajal Lang

Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Todd Gurley (Georgia) poses for a photo with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected as the number 10th overall pick to the St. Louis Rams in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Todd Gurley (Georgia) poses for a photo with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected as the number 10th overall pick to the St. Louis Rams in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

Duke Johnson Jr. (CLE)

2016 Stats:

CAR: 73
RUSH YDS: 358
REC: 53
REC YDS: 514
TD: 1

2017 Outlook: Duke Johnson has been limited to the third-down back position since he entered the league—playing behind Isaiah Crowell in both 2015 and 16. Despite strictly being a role player and playing on the Browns, he has had fairly productive seasons as a receiving back.
In the off-season of 2017, everything seemed to go well for Johnson and boosted his potential to be extremely productive this season.

After having a great line in 2016, the Browns added Kevin Zeitler and J.C. Tretter to give them what may be one of the best offensive lines in the AFC, if not the league. Though mainly benefiting Crowell, adding these players to a line that already included All-Pro Joe Thomas and Joel Bitonio certainly couldn’t Johnson’s rushing numbers.

In addition, his receiving numbers will most likely increase due to a large amount of unaccounted targets with the departure of Terrelle Pryor to the Redskins. The projected starter this season- Cody Kessler– is also inexperienced and likely to rely on the short passing game.

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