When the Houston Texans’ four-headed general manager offered a conditional third-round pick to John Dorsey for Duke Johnson, they knew what they were getting.
A pass-catching extraordinaire that happens to play running back.
While Johnson’s rushing totals are far from eye-popping (1,286 yards, five touchdowns), his efficiency and stats as a receiver are. In four seasons of play, as a primary backup, the former Miami Hurricane has amassed 235 receptions for 2,170 yards and eight touchdowns.
According to Pro Football Focus, Johnson’s career receiving grade (90.9) ranks fifth among all active running backs. He’s second in forced missed tackles per catch (0,338), and seventh in yards per route run (1.73). Impressive numbers considering he’s in a league with the likes of Le’Veon Bell, Alvin Kamara, and Christian McCaffrey – all revolutionary pass-catching backs.
Johnson is a rare, one-of-one talent in the Texans backfield with him as a top option in a sans-Lamar Miller world. He’s someone coach Bill O’Brien doesn’t see any of his current backups emulating.
When asked if he wants other backs to be pass-catchers as well on Tuesday, O’Brien responded: “No, I don’t think everybody can be a pass catcher. Different guys have different skill sets.”
O’Brien isn’t insinuating that his running backs can’t catch well, but there is more to being a top-flight receiving option than catching.
“All of our guys do a decent job at catching the ball, but there’s more to it than catching the ball,” said O’Brien.
What type of things?
“There’s route running, understanding coverages, having a feel for zone, man, all of those different things,” O’Brien said. “And then obviously being able to catch the football and make something happen with the ball in your hands.”
While other backs aren’t in Johnson’s stratosphere as a receiver, they each have their own skill sets to pride themselves on: Karan Higdon’s explosiveness, Damarea Crocket’s power, Taiwan Jones’ speed, and so on.
“Everybody is a little bit different,” according to O’Brien. Especially when it comes to receiving.
