To say the Houston Texans have two running backs atop the depth chart that are similar is an understatement. The two players even share the same surname.
With the Texans trading three-time All-Pro receiver DeAndre Hopkins to the Arizona Cardinals for former All-Pro David Johnson, Houston was getting a running back with an identical skillset to Duke Johnson, who was already on their roster.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson loves the similarities the two running backs will bring to the offense.
“They can create so much, you have to respect that,” Watson told reporters on Aug. 1. “Not just running the ball, so you have to respect, is it going to be a pass or is it going to be a run? With both of those guys on the field you don’t know who’s going to touch the ball.”
Though EA Sports says otherwise, the Texans will more than likely have David Johnson as the starter and the bell cow for the running game. However, the former 2015 third-round pick from Northern Iowa wasn’t coveted as a fantasy draft pick strictly for his carries; Johnson has the ability to catch passes out of the backfield.
However, David isn’t the only Johnson Watson will have at his disposal when he drops back.
“Then you have Duke, his coming out of the backfield and his ability and agility and ability to move, and things like that,” said Watson. “It’s been good to be able to have two guys like that. I’ve never had that in my career, so it’s going to be fun to be able to play with both of them and see what we can do.”
The strategy behind the Texans’ offense in 2020 is to provide Watson with a variety of weapons. If Watson has more firepower coming out of the backfield, defenses will have to respect it, which will only open up greater opportunities downfield.
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