Duke Johnson, RB Miami

Height: 5’9″
Weight: 207 pounds
Hand Size: 9 1/4″

40 Time: 4.54
Vertical Jump: 33.5″
Broad Jump: 121″ (10’1″)

NFL Comparison: Shane Vereen

Scouting Notes:

There are your Shane Vereen-style “diminutive” running backs, and then there are those of the Maurice Jones Drew power-baby, bowling-ball variety. What we saw last year in rookies Tre Mason and Devonta Freeman was more of the MJD style, maybe mixed with a little bit of Ray Rice, Doug Martin or Andre Ellington.

This year, we see a lot more Shane Vereen than “mighty mouse” in guys like Duke Johnson and Ameer Abduallah. Actually, that’s going to be a hot debate among draftniks all Draft Season – Which one would you rather draft: Johnson or Abdullah?

When it comes to Duke Johnson, you have the career rushing leader from one of the biggest NFL RB factories in NCAA History, The University of Miami. Names like Clinton Portis, Frank Gore, Lamar Miller, Willis McGahee, and Edgerrin James are no joke. Johnson has earned his reputation as a top-flight college running back. However, we don’t believe his skill set translates as a workhorse back in the NFL in the same way many of his recent Hurricane predecessors have.

Johnson runs with decent forward-lean and leg drive for his size, and his feet are good. But, he doesn’t generate much violence or physicality. He’s not going to break many tackles at the next level, and doesn’t project as a yards-after-contact runner in the NFL. While we don’t consider Johnson’s vision exceptional, it is above-average. He can identify the cutback and hit it. Johnson will be most effective operating behind zone-blocking concepts. Although we tend to prefer zone runners with sturdier bases of the Morris, Lynch, Foster mold. He’s also a very talented receiver out of the backfield.

Mostly an up-the-field slasher, Johnson isn’t really a shifty back. He’s doesn’t have an elusive style, but he also doesn’t waste much time moving laterally – which most coaches would tell you they prefer. That lack of elusiveness may limit his ceiling in terms of his ability to create the spectacular play as a pro, a la Giovani Bernard. While we thought his long speed on tape left something to be desired – which was later confirmed by his fairly average 40 time at the NFL Combine – Johnson is definitely capable of creating the highly-sought after “chunk plays” at the next level with his quickness and smooth acceleration.

Duke Johnson will be an effective change-of-pace back, or lightning to someone else’s thunder in the NFL. If he lands in the proper situation, he has the chance to be pretty darn good.

(shows cutback ability inside zone, Not sure he has the big long speed I would have expected)

Quotable from the Combine…

Patch you’re wearing?

“It’s for one of my college friend’s, his mother was a two-time breast cancer survivor. I’m wearing it in honor of her and of the other women who is fighting and surviving.”

How your run cut be gone type of ability how that matches up to a zone?

“It matches with a zone scheme because everyone is flowing, you see a seam, want to hit it as fast as you can, the route.”

Do you see yourself a lead back, a three-down back?

“Yes sir.”

There are some questions about your durability. Some people think you’re best suited as a complementary back.

“It’s not my job to tell you what I think about what other people say. The only thing is to come in and show that I can do it and I can perform.”

Other than your lateral agility and your blocking, what are some of the other non-obvious traits that you’re proud of?

“Being able to receive out of the backfield is the No. 1 thing. I’m a mismatch with linebackers. I can catch the ball really well.”

Where’s your pass protection at?

“I think I have the willingness to take one for the quarterback and make sure the quarterback doesn’t get touched. With the right team and the right coaching staff and teaching me their way of doing it, I don’t think I’ll have a problem doing it.”

What do you think of Shane Vereen and his skillset?

“I like it. It’s something that he kind of does what I do. Just the way he comes out the backfield, creating mismatches with the linebacker.”

Is that a role you feel you could maybe fill in?

“That’s a role I feel I could do and also actually line up at receiver and run routes.”

Are you a more physical runner then you get credit for?

“I think I am. I think at the end of the day if there’s short yardage and I need to get it, I’ll go and get it.”

What’s it like running behind Erick Flowers?

“I love running behind Erick Flowers. I’ve been running behind him since my senior year of high school and everytime I run behind him I’m very successful.”

Clinton Portis, Lamar Miller, Frank Gore. Are you guys pretty tight or no?

“We talk. They come out, we work out together. It’s all love, all brotherhood when you come out there.”

Is there a certain trait or thing about UM back? Speed, determination, god given ability?

“I think it’s a mixture of all of them. All of them us have something different we bring to the table. All of us are different kinds of backs. I think it’s just playing with a chip on my shoulder.”

Is there a back in NFL with similar style to you?

“LeSean McCoy. His quickness, his burst, his ability to move in the open field, receiving out of the back field.”

Your ability to make people miss. Where does that come from? Is it God given?

“That’s God given.”

nice receiving touchdown – beats DE off of LOS- catches in hole in defense then breaks DBs ankles with a smooth shift to score)

Fantasy Outlook:

Johnson will certainly be a rookie to watch closely for Dynasty and re-draft purposes. Much will depend on which team drafts him. If he gets the opportunities early, he could quickly become a deep flex play, or perhaps even have Jerick McKinnon-type upside as a rookie. His ceiling is in the Giovani Bernard range. Given his excellent abilities as a pass catcher, Johnson will have the most allure in PPR formats (which basically all dynasty leagues are). He’ll also be a candidate to return kicks, immediately.