Could Duke Johnson be the Browns version of Giovani Bernard?

With Hue Jackson now at the helm, the Cleveland Browns will see plenty of changes heading into the 2016 season. One component most likely won’t change: Duke Johnson as one of the top play-makers on the Browns offense in the backfield and as a receiver.

Jackson, who was the Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator the past two seasons, is no stranger to the two-running back system that has persisted with the Cleveland offense. While the Browns used their own two-running back system of Isaiah Crowell and Duke Johnson in 2015, Jackson utilized a two-back system in Cincinnati. Jeremy Hill and Giovani Bernard combined to rush for 1,524 yards and 13 touchdowns on 377 carries in 2015.

Individually, Bernard totaled 730 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 154 carries, while snagging 49 catches for 472 yards in 2015. During his brief three-year career, the North Carolina product has accumulated 492 carries for 2,105 yards and 12 touchdowns along with 148 catches for 1,335 yards and five touchdowns. He has also averaged 10.9 carries for 46.8 yards and 3.3 receptions for 29.7 yards per game.

Conversely, Duke Johnson notched 104 carries for 379 yards along with 61 catches for 534 yards and two touchdowns during his rookie season in 2015. During his 16 games (seven starts), the University of Miami product averaged 3.6 carries for 23.7 yards and 3.8 catches for 33.4 yards per game.

Johnson’s receptions and receiving yards per game in 2015 lined up almost perfectly with Bernard’s career numbers, although the third-year Bengal has averaged almost triple the amount of carries per game. With Jackson being an offensive guy, there’s a chance the 22-year old could receive more touches his sophomore season than he did in his rookie year. A season where he was one of the Browns’ top offensive targets.

While both Johnson and Bernard were considered their respective team’s second running backs, the two brought an important dimension to the offenses that not many running backs have: the ability to catch the ball not only out of the backfield, but also the ability to lineup as a receiver and make plays on the outside.

Although Jackson said that he will make his own judgments on every player on the roster, Duke will likely be seen as one of the few players on the Browns offense that can make plays with the ball in his hands. Hopefully, the new head coach will find ways to get him the football.

Even with the possible return of Josh Gordon from suspension, the third-round (77th overall) selection in 2015 could see a lot more opportunities in 2016. The electric 5-foot-9, 206-pounder could show off his skills alongside players like Gordon, Gary Barnidge, Travis Benjamin, Brian Hartline, and Andrew Hawkins. No matter where Johnson is lined up, there’s a good chance Jackson is going to showcase his running back’s ability to be a play-maker in 2016 and beyond.