The running back depth chart for the Cleveland Browns is simple at the top. Nick Chubb is one of the NFL’s best, and Kareem Hunt is almost inarguably the best “backup” RB in the league.
After the top twosome, coach Kevin Stefanski has himself a camp battle to watch for the No. 3 spot. With apologies to John Kelly and Tre Harbison, who are each on the Cleveland roster at RB, it’s a two-man battle between D’Ernest Johnson and Demetric Felton.
Johnson is the incumbent. Entering his third season, the 5-foot-10, 200-pounder has toted the rock 37 times for 187 yards in his two years in Cleveland. Over half those regular-season yards (95) came in one game, the romp over the Cowboys last fall. Johnson has also caught nine passes (on 11 targets) for 85 yards.
Felton is the challenger. A sixth-round rookie from UCLA, Felton is a little smaller (5-foot-9/189) but a more accomplished receiver out of the backfield. He played wide receiver for the Bruins early in his career and it shows in his ability in the passing game.
Felton is faster, but not necessarily more athletic from their respective draft prep testing (RAS courtesy Kent Platte):
Even though they’re competing for the same spot in the backfield, their battle will likely be decided on special teams. Along with wideout Donovan Peoples-Jones and perhaps rookie WR Anthony Schwartz, Felton and Johnson are the primary combatants for the return specialist gig.
Johnson has had some success for Cleveland as a returner. He averages 25.3 yards on 19 kickoff returns and has added five punt returns for 22 yards. Felton averaged 23.6 yards on 26 career kick returns at UCLA, scoring one touchdown.
The Browns did keep four running backs in 2020, with Dontrell Hilliard (now with the Texans) as the No. 4. He fluctuated between being a gameday inactive and an occasional special teams player when the three above him were all healthy. That role is not expected to change in 2021 for the player who doesn’t win this brewing camp battle for the No. 3 RB spot.