With the Browns signing Kareem Hunt this offseason and drafting Nick Chubb last offseason, there isn’t much room for a third running back in Cleveland.
That’s likely why Duke Johnson has requested a trade.
One team in need of a backup running back after losing Latavius Murray to the Saints is the Minnesota Vikings.
Johnson is a player who is more valuable in the pass game than the run game. Last season, he ran just 40 times for 201 yards. But he did catch 47 passes for 429 yards and a touchdown.
The former third-round pick out of Miami is due $2.3 million in 2019, which might be a bit rich for the Vikings considering the Vikings have just $2.77 million in cap space. The trade would likely have to involve a Minnesota player.
While Johnson might be the opposite of Murray, he did rank as Pro Football Focus’ 30th running back out of 62 running backs.
It seems unlikely considering Johnson has the same skill set of as starter Dalvin Cook being effective out of the pass game, but with the Vikings needing a backup running back, it’s something to keep an eye on.
