 Johnson with theCleveland Browns in 2016 | |||||||||||||||||
| No. 29, 25, 28, 22 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position: | Running back | ||||||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||
| Born: | (1993-09-23)September 23, 1993 (age 31) Miami, Florida, U.S. | ||||||||||||||||
| Height: | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) | ||||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 210 lb (95 kg) | ||||||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||||||
| High school: | Miami Norland (Miami Gardens, Florida) | ||||||||||||||||
| College: | Miami (FL) (2012–2014) | ||||||||||||||||
| NFL draft: | 2015: 3rd round, 77th pick | ||||||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||||||
| * Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||||||||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||||||||||
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Randy "Duke"Johnson Jr. (born September 23, 1993) is an American former professionalfootballrunning back who played eight seasons in theNational Football League (NFL). He was selected by theCleveland Browns in the third round (77th overall) of the2015 NFL draft after playingcollege football at theUniversity of Miami. He played in the NFL for the Browns,Houston Texans,Miami Dolphins, andBuffalo Bills.
Johnson attendedMiami Norland Senior High School inMiami Gardens, Florida, where he playedfootball and rantrack.[1] As a sophomore, Johnson ran for 1,540 yards and 25touchdowns. In his junior year, he led Norland to a 13–2 record and state runner-up. After beating theSammy Watkins-ledSouth Fort Myers 44–28 in the semifinals,[2] Norland lost 44–34 to the unbeatenTampa Jefferson in the class 3A final.[3] During his senior year, Johnson compiled 1,957 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns, 14receptions for 232 receiving yards and three touchdowns, threekickoff returns and onepunt return for scores, as he led Miami Norland to 15–0 finish and state Class 5A championship. In the championship game againstWakulla, he scored five touchdowns.[4]
He was also on the school's track & field team, where he was a standout sprinter andlong jumper. He placed 5th in the long jump event at the 2010 GMAC Qualifiers, with a jump of 6.60 meters.[5] In 2011, he placed 4th in the100 meters at the 3rd Annual Miramar Invitational, recording a career-best time of 10.62 seconds.[6] He finished 3rd in the200 meters at the FHSAA 3A District 16, with a time of 22.31 seconds.[7]
He was considered the best all-purposerunning back recruit byRivals.com.[8]
Johnson attended and playedcollege football at theUniversity of Miami from 2012 to 2014.[9] In his freshman season, he rushed for 947 yards on 139carries with ten touchdowns and caught 27 passes for 221 yards and one touchdown. He also threw an additional touchdown in a 41–40 loss toVirginia.[10] He also played a major role onspecial teams, where he returned 28 kicks for two touchdowns.[11][12][13]In 2012, Johnson won both theAtlantic Coast Conference Rookie of the Year and Offensive Rookie of the Year awards. He became the first Miami Hurricane to win both awards.In 2013, Johnson joined the Miami indoor track team, posting a personal-best time of 6.92 seconds in the60 meters at New Mexico Classic. Johnson's sophomore campaign with the Hurricane's football team came to an abrupt end on November 2, 2013, when he broke his ankle against arch-rivalFlorida State.[14] Miami lost that game 41–14.[15] Through eight games, Johnson rushed for 920 yards on 145 carries, with six touchdowns. He also had four catches for 77 yards.[12][16] Johnson returned from the injury his junior season in 2014 to play in all 13 games. During the season, he passedOttis Anderson to become the Hurricanes' all-time rushing yards leader.[17] He ended the 2014 season with 1,652 yards and 10 touchdowns.[18]
After his junior season, Johnson decided to forgo his senior season and declared for the2015 NFL draft.[19] He finished his college career with 3,519 rushing yards on 526 carries with 26 touchdowns, and had 69 receptions for 719 yards and four touchdowns.[20]
| Season | Team | Rushing | Receiving | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Att | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Rec | Yds | Avg | TD | ||
| 2012 | Miami | 139 | 947 | 6.8 | 65 | 10 | 27 | 221 | 8.2 | 1 |
| 2013 | Miami | 145 | 920 | 6.3 | 59 | 6 | 4 | 77 | 19.3 | 0 |
| 2014 | Miami | 242 | 1,652 | 6.8 | 90 | 10 | 38 | 421 | 11.1 | 3 |
| Career | 526 | 3,519 | 6.7 | 90 | 26 | 69 | 719 | 10.4 | 4 | |
On December 28, 2014, Johnson announced his decision to forgo his remaining eligibility and enter the2015 NFL draft.[21] Johnson attended theNFL Scouting Combine inIndianapolis and performed a few combine drills before sustaining ahamstring injury. Due to his hamstring, he skipped thethree-cone drill andshort shuttle and voluntarily chose to skip thebench press. On April 1, 2015, Johnson participated at Miami'spro day and chose to perform the majority of combine drills, but elected to skip thebroad jump. He improved his40-yard dash (4.51s), 20-yard dash (2.57s), 10-yard dash (1.58s), andvertical jump (35") and also completed the bench press (18), short shuttle (4.16s), and three-cone drill (6.88s). Scouts and team representatives from all 32 NFL teams attended Miami's pro day, including head coachesMike TomlinPittsburgh Steelers,Todd BowlesNew York Jets, andSean PaytonNew Orleans Saints.[22]
| External videos | |
|---|---|
 Duke Johnson's Combine Workout | |
| Pro Comparison: Duke Johnson |
He also attended private workouts and visits with theNew York Giants andAtlanta Falcons.[23] At the conclusion of the pre-draft process, Johnson was projected to be a second round pick by NFL draft experts and scouts.[24] He was ranked as the fourth best running back prospect in the draft by DraftScout.com and NFL analystMike Mayock, was ranked the fifth best running back bySports Illustrated andScouts Inc., and was ranked the seventh best running back by NFL analystCharles Davis.[25][26][27][28]
| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Bench press | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 ft9+1⁄8 in (1.76 m) | 207 lb (94 kg) | 30+3⁄8 in (0.77 m) | 9+1⁄4 in (0.23 m) | 4.54 s | 1.60 s | 2.64 s | 4.16 s | 6.88 s | 33+1⁄2 in (0.85 m) | 10 ft 1 in (3.07 m) | 18 reps | |
| All values fromNFL Combine/Miami's Pro Day[29] | ||||||||||||
TheCleveland Browns selected Johnson in the third round with the 77th overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. Johnson was the sixth running back drafted in 2015.[30][31]
| External videos | |
|---|---|
| Browns draft Duke Johnson 77th overall |
On June 16, 2015, the Browns signed Johnson to a four-year, $3.10 million contract that includes asigning bonus of $710,092.[32][33]
On August 1, 2015, Johnson injured his hamstring on the first day of the Browns'training camp.[34] He was sidelined for the next ten days, and was inactive during thefirst preseason game against theWashington Redskins atFirstEnergy Stadium.[35] During Johnson's first pre-season appearance, he was diagnosed with a concussion and was removed from the game.[36] Throughout training camp, Johnson competed to be one of the primary running backs in the Browns' rotation againstIsaiah Crowell,Terrance West, andShaun Draughn.[37] Head coachMike Pettine named Johnson the backup running back, behind Isaiah Crowell, to begin the regular season.[38] He replaced Terrance West after West showed up to training camp overweight and was released as part of final roster cuts.
He made his professional regular season debut and first career start in the Browns' season opener at the Jets and had seven carries for 22 yards in their 31–10 loss.[39] On October 4, 2015, Johnson had eight carries for 31 yards and recorded a season-high nine receptions for 85 yards and scored his first career touchdown during a 30–27 loss at theSan Diego Chargers in Week 4.[40] Johnson scored his first career touchdown on a 34-yard pass by quarterbackJosh McCown in the second quarter.[41] In Week 14, he had a season-high 13 carries for 78 rushing yards in the Browns' 24–10 win against theSan Francisco 49ers. He finished his rookie season in 2015 with 104 carries for 379 rushing yards and 61 receptions for 534 receiving yards and two touchdowns in 16 games and seven starts.[42] Johnson's 61 receptions are the second-most by a Browns rookie, tied with wide receiverGreg Little.[43] Among rookies, Johnson ranked first in receptions and receiving yards among rookie running backs and second in receptions overall, just underOakland Raiders'Amari Cooper.[44] Johnson was ranked sixth overall among rookies in receiving yards and was one of six rookies to surpass 500 yards receiving.[45]
On January 4, 2016, the Cleveland Browns fired head coach Mike Pettine and general managerRay Farmer after the Browns finished with a 3–13 record in 2015.[46] During training camp, Johnson competed to be the starting running back against Isaiah Crowell. Head coachHue Jackson officially named Johnson the backup running back, behind Isaiah Crowell, to start the regular season in 2016.[47]
In Week 3, Johnson had a season-high ten carries for 69 yards and also caught five passes for 12 yards during a 30–24 loss at theMiami Dolphins. On October 16, 2016, Johnson had four carries for 18 yards and four receptions for 56 yards while also scoring his first rushing touchdown during a 28–26 loss at theTennessee Titans in Week 6.[48] On October 30, 2016, Johnson caught six passes for a season-high 87 yards and had four carries for 29 rushing yards as the Browns lost 31–28 against the Jets in Week 8.[49] Johnson finished the 2016 season with 73 carries for 358 rushing yards (4.9 yards per carry) and a touchdown and 53 receptions for 514 receiving yards in 16 games and one start. Johnson served as a punt returner in 2016 and had 17 returns for 112 yards. He also had two fumbles and recorded two solo tackles in special teams.[50]
Johnson shared the Browns' backfield with Isaiah Crowell in the 2017 season.[51] In Week 15, against theBaltimore Ravens, he became the first NFL running back sinceHerschel Walker in 1986–1988 to record at least 500 receiving yards in each of his first three seasons.[52][53] Overall, he finished the 2017 season with 348 rushing yards, four rushing touchdowns, 74 receptions, 693 receiving yards, and three receiving touchdowns as the Browns struggled to only the second 0–16 season in NFL history.[54][55]
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On June 7, 2018, the Cleveland Browns signed Johnson to a three-year, $15.61 million contract extension with $7.75 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $3 million.[56][33] Going into the 2018 season, Johnson shared the backfield withCarlos Hyde and rookieNick Chubb.[57] Through the first six games, Johnson retained his familiar role as a runner and catcher totaling 111 rushing yards and 14 receptions for 164 receiving yards.[58] Before Week 7, Hyde was traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars.[59] In Week 9, against theKansas City Chiefs, he had nine receptions for 78 yards and two touchdowns in the 37–21 loss.[60] Overall, he finished the 2018 season with 201 rushing yards to go along with 47 receptions for 429 yards and three touchdowns.[61]
On August 8, 2019, Johnson was traded to theHouston Texans for a conditional 2020 fourth-round pick that can become a third-round pick if active on the Texans roster for 10 games.[62] Johnson made his debut with the Texans in Week 1 against the Saints. In the game, Johnson rushed nine times for 57 yards and caught four passes for 33 yards in the 30–28 loss.[63] Overall, Johnson finished the 2019 season with 410 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns to go along with 44 receptions for 410 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns.[64]
In the 2020 season, Johnson appeared in 11 games and finished with 77 carries for 235 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown to go along with 28 receptions for 249 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown.[65]
On February 26, 2021, Johnson was released by the Texans.[66]
On September 6, 2021, Johnson was signed to thepractice squad of theJacksonville Jaguars.[67] He was released on September 16.[68]
On October 26, 2021, Johnson was signed to the Dolphins practice squad.[69]
On December 19, 2021, in his first home game with the Dolphins, Johnson rushed for a career high 107 yards and two touchdowns in a 31–24 win against the Jets.[70] The next day, Johnson was signed to the Dolphins' active roster.[71] He finished the 2021 season with 71 carries for 330 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns to go along with four receptions for 41 receiving yards.[72]
On March 22, 2022, Johnson signed with the Bills on a one-year deal.[73] He was released on August 30, 2022, and signed to the practice squad the next day.[74][75] His practice squad contract with the team expired after the season on January 22, 2023.
Johnson announced his retirement from the NFL on May 5, 2024.[76]
| Year | Team | Games | Rushing | Receiving | Fumbles | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Att | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Fum | Lost | ||
| 2015 | CLE | 16 | 7 | 104 | 379 | 3.6 | 39 | 0 | 61 | 534 | 8.8 | 52 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| 2016 | CLE | 16 | 1 | 73 | 358 | 4.9 | 22 | 1 | 53 | 514 | 9.7 | 32 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| 2017 | CLE | 16 | 0 | 82 | 348 | 4.2 | 19T | 4 | 74 | 693 | 9.4 | 41T | 3 | 4 | 2 |
| 2018 | CLE | 16 | 2 | 40 | 201 | 5.0 | 23 | 0 | 47 | 429 | 9.1 | 32 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| 2019 | HOU | 16 | 2 | 83 | 410 | 4.9 | 40 | 2 | 44 | 410 | 9.3 | 21 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
| 2020 | HOU | 11 | 5 | 77 | 235 | 3.1 | 23 | 1 | 28 | 249 | 8.9 | 48 | 1 | 3 | 2 |
| 2021 | MIA | 5 | 4 | 71 | 330 | 4.6 | 27 | 3 | 4 | 41 | 10.3 | 20 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2022 | BUF | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 2.0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 97 | 21 | 532 | 2,265 | 4.3 | 40 | 11 | 311 | 2,870 | 9.2 | 52 | 12 | 12 | 6 | |
| Year | Team | Games | Rushing | Receiving | Fumbles | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Att | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Fum | Lost | ||
| 2019 | HOU | 1 | 0 | 3 | 38 | 12.6 | 19 | 0 | 3 | 30 | 10.0 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 1 | 0 | 3 | 38 | 12.6 | 19 | 0 | 3 | 30 | 10.0 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
He is the cousin of professional basketball playerDewan Hernandez.[77]
Media related toDuke Johnson at Wikimedia Commons