What Can the Browns Do to Improve Their Run Game in 2018?

2. I made it very clear to anyone that wanted to talk football with me the last few seasons, that Duke Johnson is a nice weapon to have on offense. “DUUUUKE” as they call him when he makes a great play, has played extremely well for Cleveland since his first season (2015). Johnson runs the ball very well, can pass block, catch the ball out of the backfield, can be used as a wide receiver and can even return kicks.

When you watch Duke Johnson run the ball and compare him to Crowell, it’s night and day. Johnson clearly has better field vision and it usually takes more than one player to bring him down. Sometimes, when it appeared that the play called for Johnson to run the ball up the middle, Duke would notice that the better avenue, would be to bounce to the outside. That was never really the case with Isaiah. My only worry about Johnson, is his ability to stay healthy.

If you look at his numbers on pro-football-reference.com, it shows that Johnson has never missed a game. But, I’ve also taken notice that when Duke gets hit one too many times around his knees, he tends to need a few plays off. Can Duke be relied upon to carry the ball 25 or 30 times a game for 16 games? Unfortunately, I don’t think he can. I’ve been wrong before and I’ll be wrong again.

3. Why didn’t Hue Jackson ever use the rookie out of N.C. State? Does anyone remember Matthew Dayes? This is one of my problems with the Browns. They never seem to use talent when they find it in the later rounds. Cleveland rafted Dayes in the 7th round in 2017. Matthew had a good showing during the preseason, yet for a team that went 0-16, they’re telling me they couldn’t use him more? They sure found a way to use Kenny Britt who did absolutely nothing.

I really hope Dayes gets a realistic chance this year and doesn’t end up getting cut and some other team picks him up and gives him a chance to shine. If that happens, that’s when the Browns will be scratching their head and saying, wait, we drafted him, but never used him. Dayes isn’t a big guy, but has plenty of speed, good vision and balance. He would be the perfect compliment to the power back and could be used as a receiver for underneath routes.

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