The Cleveland Browns may hope to have a more explosive offense in 2022 with, potentially, QB Deshaun Watson behind center for a majority of the games. The addition of WR Amari Cooper to replace Jarvis Landry should also help in that regard.
No matter what, the Browns offense will always be able to rely on a great offensive line, a stable of running backs and a great run scheme.
The offensive line has gotten a lot of love this offseason, especially the team’s two guards. Everyone knows how great RBs Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt have been but having D’Ernest Johnson, Demetric Felton and Jerome Ford behind them makes it the best backfield in the league.
A new data set, looking at running backs who forced missed tackles and had a high percentage of positive yardage runs puts Johnson on a similar level as Chubb:
Rhamondre Stevenson needs a chance to be a starterđź‘‘ pic.twitter.com/J4Io2fiTar
— Nathan Jahnke (@PFF_NateJahnke) July 18, 2022
In 2021, Chubb led the team with 228 carries with Johnson second with 100. Both averaged over 5 yards per carry with the above data showing similarities as well.
This offseason, Johnson returned to the team after failing to find an offer as a restricted free agent. Unless he is extended or has a tag placed on him, he will become a free agent at the end of the year. With Hunt also set for free agency, it will be interesting if either stays long-term or if Felton and Ford are the future behind Chubb.
Johnson had an interesting year in 2021 and the graph above puts a little perspective on it.