The Houston Texans made a deal with the Cleveland Browns Thursday morning to acquire running back Duke Johnson for a conditional 2020 NFL draft pick.
Conditions of the pick have been revealed. According to the Houston Chronicle’s John McClain, the former 2015 third-round pick has to be active for a total of 10 games for Houston in order for the Texans to give up a third-round pick to the Browns.
According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Texans are trading a 2020 fourth-round pick no matter what. The pick has a chance to become a third-round pick if he is active for 10 games.
As coach Bill O’Brien stated on July 28, the second running back position behind starter Lamar Miller was “wide open.” By bringing in Johnson, it gives the Texans the opportunity to have a veteran against whom the likes of undrafted free agents Karan Higdon and Damarea Crockett can go against to properly evaluate the position. Other competitors for the backup spot behind Miller include veterans Taiwan Jones, Buddy Howell, and Josh Ferguson.
Johnson, a former Miami Hurricane like Miller, produced 1,286 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 299 carries. In the passing game, Johnson caught 235 passes for 2,170 yards and eight touchdowns in 64 career games.
