Browns Give Johnny Manziel a Safety Cushion by Drafting RB Duke Johnson

What is one way to help a recent first-round quarterback coming off a disastrous rookie season and a short stint in offseason rehab?

Give him a game-breaking, three-down running back with explosive speed and pass-catching chops. 

The Cleveland Browns followed this script in the third round of the 2015 NFL draft on Friday night, selecting Miami (Fla.) running back Duke Johnson with the No. 77 overall pick. 

Quarterback Johnny Manziel, the 22nd overall pick in last year's draft, won't complain if Johnson is lining up behind him in the Browns offense at some point in the near future.

The 5'9", 205-pound back left the University of Miami as the school's all-time leading rusher. A former top high school recruit, Johnson finished out his three-year career as a Hurricane by rushing for 1,652 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2014. He was named first-team All-ACC. 

There may not be a better home run hitter in the entire 2015 class. 

"Explosive burst and plays with suddenness," NFL.com's Lance Zierlein wrote in his draft profile. "Elusive in tight quarters. Has lightning in his feet. Has hips and feet to stop and start without stalling. Rare ability on stretch plays to hit cutback lanes that other backs can't get to."

Bleacher Report's Matt Miller thinks Johnson—whom he ranked as the draft's No. 3 running back—could be the next LeSean McCoy. 

"A shifty, agile back with good hands and great balance, Johnson has the same skill set as LeSean McCoy, but don’t expect that type of production," Miller wrote. "That’s a best-case scenario."

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

	Att	Yards	TD	Rec	Yards
2012	139	947	10	27	221
2013	145	920	6	4	77
2014	242	1652	10	38	421
Totals	526	3519	26	69	719

At Miami, Johnson averaged over 6.0 yards per rush for three straight seasons. He also caught 38 passes as a junior and 27 as a freshman, scoring four total touchdowns in the passing game. Big plays and reliable hands are two of his most attractive traits as he transitions to the next level. 

In Cleveland, Johnson can be eased into action with Isaiah Crowell and Terrance West returning at the running back position. It could be a perfect situation for a player who was occasionally banged up in college and likely needs development as a pass-protecting running back. 

If the entire package comes together, Johnson has the skill set to be a major factor for the Browns offense. 

In fact, Miller wasn't the only evaluator to see some McCoy in his game. 

"Kind of a poor man's Shady (LeSean) McCoy," one scout told Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "He's got a little power for his size. Good out of the backfield. Elusive, runs aggressive. He's just small." 

McCoy has rushed for 1,000 or more yards in four of the last five seasons. He led the NFL in rushing in 2013 when he totaled 1,607 yards. He's also caught 40 or more passes in five straight seasons. 

McCoy may be a best-case scenario for Johnson, but that's still a high ceiling for a player the Browns only needed to use a third-round pick on. 

Manziel could use all the help he can get as he enters his second season in the NFL. His opening campaign ended with only five games played and a passer rating of 42.0. The Browns have since added veteran Josh McCown in free agency, but Cleveland did not use a high pick on a quarterback and Manziel remains on the roster. Hope remains that Manziel matures on and off the field and eventually takes over as the club's franchise quarterback. 

It never hurts to add pieces around a young quarterback. 

The Browns have added a starting offensive lineman in Florida State's Cameron Erving and a potential long-term starting running back option in Johnson. Together, the two could help ease the pressure on Manziel's development under center. 

Of course, that's only if Johnson realizes his immense potential. 

The Miami burner enters the NFL with three-down skills and home run-hitting ability. The Browns are banking on those traits translating to the next level, where Johnson will be tasked with helping the development process of his new young quarterback. 

Zach Kruse covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. 

Follow @zachkruse2