It didn't get a lot of attention, overshadowed by various mega-deals and the fact it was preceded by the Bills losing out on J.D. McKissic. But when that deal broke down, Buffalo signed veteran Duke Johnson. Could he be a threat in this backfield?
A report yesterday was skeptical, noting that Johnson signed a minimum deal, and might be more of an insurance policy. Plus Johnson is 28 years old and is now with his third team in three years, so it makes sense that he'd be lightly regarded.
Since averaging 942 scrimmage yards in his first three seasons with Cleveland, way back in 2015-2017, he's gradually seen his production decline, with the Browns, Texans and now Dolphins all moving on. He's averaged just 428 total yards his last two seasons, his chances seemingly having come and gone.
It's a shame if so, because when he's been given chances the last three years, he's been productive.
From 2019-2021, Johnson has had double-digit touches (runs-receptions) in a game 12 times. He's scored 7 touchdowns in those contests, and finished with at least 17 fantasy points (PPR) in half of them, 10-13 in two others. He had a pair of 100-yard rushing games last year for the Dolphins.
Why hasn't he gotten more of an opportunity; 10-plus touches just 12 times in those 32 games? Kind of weird.
| DUKE JOHNSON WITH 10-PLUS TOUCHES, 2019-2021 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Tm | Opp | Att | Run | No | Rec | Tou | TD | PPR |
| 2019 | HOU | at N.O. | 9 | 57 | 4 | 33 | 13 | 0 | 13.0 |
| 2019 | HOU | Atl. | 9 | 59 | 1 | 8 | 10 | 0 | 7.7 |
| 2019 | HOU | at Jac. | 7 | 13 | 5 | 68 | 12 | 1 | 19.1 |
| 2019 | HOU | N.E. | 9 | 36 | 5 | 54 | 14 | 1 | 20.0 |
| 2020 | HOU | at Jac. | 16 | 41 | 4 | 32 | 20 | 1 | 17.3 |
| 2020 | HOU | at Cle. | 14 | 54 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 5.4 |
| 2020 | HOU | N.E. | 10 | 15 | 3 | 20 | 13 | 0 | 6.5 |
| 2020 | HOU | at Det. | 9 | 37 | 3 | 43 | 12 | 1 | 17.0 |
| 2020 | HOU | at Chi. | 8 | 26 | 2 | 53 | 10 | 0 | 9.9 |
| 2021 | MIA | NYJ | 22 | 107 | 1 | 20 | 23 | 2 | 25.7 |
| 2021 | MIA | at N.O. | 13 | 39 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 3.9 |
| 2021 | MIA | N.E. | 25 | 117 | 1 | 5 | 26 | 1 | 19.2 |
The Bills are mentioned as a possibility to draft a running back early. If that happens, Johnson will move on down the depth chart -- possibly off the roster -- yet again.
But if Buffalo doesn't draft a back early, I think Johnson will have at least a passing downs role and possibly be the No. 2 running back (ahead of Zack Moss) on this roster. If he gets a chance at a sizable role, maybe he'll prove he belongs in the league. Would be a nice story.
--Andy Richardson