What Does Cleveland Browns Drafting RB Duke Johnson Mean for Terrance West?

When the Cleveland Browns selected running back Duke Johnson in Round 3 of the 2015 NFL draft, it seemed to be another confirmation that the team would be taking a run-heavy approach to its offense this year.

After all, the Browns brought on two rookie running backs in 2014, Terrance West in Round 3 and Isaiah Crowell, who went undrafted. By adding a third in two years, the Browns seemed to send a clear message about their intentions for the upcoming season.

It makes sense, after all. The Browns went into the draft not knowing who their quarterback would be for Week 1 or for the entirety of the upcoming season.

While head coach Mike Pettine has made it clear that Josh McCown will be the team's starter heading into training camp this summer, giving him the Week 1 edge, nothing has been decided yet. Another running back gives the Browns additional options in lieu of identifying their starting quarterback.

Over two seasons at Miami, Johnson became the team's all-time leading rusher, with 381 carries netting 2,599 yards and 20 touchdowns. He averaged 6.8 yards per carry.

But Johnson is more than just a running back. He's also an accomplished receiver, catching 65 passes for 642 yards and four scores in his collegiate career. This versatility is a nod to how dynamic a football player Johnson is—he's fast and shifty, but he also has great hands and solid route running. 

Johnson's presence on the roster should have little effect on Crowell's position on the depth chart. NFL.com's Marc Sessler projects that Crowell will be the Browns' No. 1 running back this year, and for good reason. Though, according to Pro Football Focus, Crowell played just 391 snaps in 2014 to West's 416, Crowell was the more productive back.

West had 171 carries for 673 yards and four scores last year, and he averaged 3.9 yards per carry. He also had 11 receptions for 64 yards and one touchdown. Meanwhile, Crowell earned 607 yards and eight touchdowns off of just 148 carries, and he averaged 4.1 yards per carry. He had an additional 87 yards on nine receptions.

Crowell gained more yards per touch, more yards per reception and scored more touchdowns, which puts West firmly behind him on the depth chart at this point in the offseason.

But Johnson's ability to both run the ball and catch passes could force West down to No. 3 on the depth chart—or worse, because as Sessler points out, the Browns' coaching staff "loves" fellow running back Glenn Winston, who didn't get a single touch in 2014.

Player	Snaps	Atts.	Yds.	YPC	TD	Tgts.	Rec.	Rec,%	Yds.	TD
West	416	171	673	3.9	4	13	11	84.6%	64	1
Crowell	391	148	607	4.1	8	14	9	64.3%	87	0

Johnson's pass-catching ability screams third-down back. But he could easily cut into West's early-down touches as well given his 20 rushing touchdowns in college. 

West did the majority of his work last year on first downs—101 of his rushes came in that down, earning him 404 yards and one score. He had another 61 carries on second down, earning him 238 yards and two more scores.

He earned 4.0 and 3.9 yards per rush, respectively, on those downs. Those are good numbers, but they aren't spectacular. While he did outgain Crowell on first downs, with Crowell averaging 3.5 yards per carry, Crowell also had three first-down touchdowns. Crowell easily outperformed West on second downs last year, with five scores and 5.4 yards per carry.

Player	Down	Att.	Yds.	YPC	TD
West	1st	101	404	4.0	1
West	2nd	61	238	3.9	2
Crowell	1st	90	318	3.5	3
Crowell	2nd	52	279	5.4	5

If Johnson spends this summer outgaining West on early-down carries, then that could translate to West's first- and second-down carries being cut in half. Add in the X-factor of Winston, and West may see his playing time dip even further in his second year.

Committee approaches to the running back position do not mean all three or four backs on the roster will see equal playing time. That's not how it works. Someone will be getting carries and targets at the expense of another teammate.

If the Browns choose to keep all four backs on the 53-man roster, then West has less to worry about. But if they only want to keep three—or if they want No. 4 to be Shaun Draughn, who is technically a running back but will likely only return punts and/or kicks for the Browns this year—then West has a crucial summer ahead.

West needs to prove that he's an integral part of the Browns' plan for their offense this year. He cannot skate by as he did in his rookie year and maintain his job security. Though the Browns could be a run-first, run-often offense in 2015, that does not guarantee that West will be given as many opportunities as he had in 2014. He has far more competition for his job this year.

Johnson is breathing down his neck. Winston has the coaches' attention. Draughn is a crucial special teams contributor. West's 2015 depends not on how he stacks up against Crowell but how effective he can be at keeping Johnson, and to a lesser extent Winston, off the field.

West will need to be a better runner, receiver and blocker in order to protect his roster footing this summer. No Browns player has more to lose from the drafting of Johnson than West.