RB D'Ernest Johnson, JAX (1 Viewer)

[Just Win Baby]

What in the heck do we do with this guy? Chubb is back, and D'Ernest doesn't profile as a Hunt replacement.

Oh, he'll definitely get a few carries to spell Chubb.....but Chubb is da man.

Shame to even ask after what he showed last week, but is he a definite hold? Benches are short, and he strikes me as a Dillon/Mattison-type player now. Great upside in the event of an injury to the entrenched starter....but not much more

Why doesn't he profile as a Hunt replacement during Hunt's absence?

• Hunt is averaging 5.2 ypc on 11.5 carries per game; Johnson averaged 6.6 ypc on 22 carries last week
  
• Hunt is averaging 8.1 ypr on 3.3 receptions per game; Johnson averaged 11.0 ypr on 2 receptions last week
  
• Johnson's game last week was against a top 5 defense (DEN) and with Keenum at QB, whereas Hunt's production this season was on average against weaker defenses and with Mayfield at QB
  

I assume the idea is that Hunt is better rounded, and specifically better in the passing game. But:

• Johnson had 64/792/11 receiving (12.4 ypr) in his last 3 college seasons; he is the all-time leader for South Florida in receptions and receiving yardage for a RB
  
• His NFL draft profile stated this as one of his strengths: "Reliable pass-catcher with just one drop to 64 catches over last three years"
  
• This article says: "He has good hands, secures the catch and turns upfield quickly. His open field abilities were on display as a returner as well, averaging 24.4 yards per kick return and 10.3 per punt over his career with the Bulls."
  

As another data point, consider the PFF grades this season for Hunt and Johnson, with rankings among all Browns offensive players in parentheses:

• Overall: Johnson 90.6 (#1) > Hunt 79.0 (#6)
  
• Running: Johnson 88.7 (#1) > Hunt 79.3 (#3)
  
• Receiving: Johnson 72.1 (#4) > Hunt 68.7 (#7)
  
• Pass blocking: Johnson 75.8 (#2) > Hunt 67.2 (#8)
  

Obviously, Johnson's body of work is smaller, but I expect him to have a role while Hunt is out. I'm planning to start both Johnson and Chubb this week in one 12 team league that starts 2 RBs + 2 flex (R/W/T) players.

 

[rschroeder1]

Why doesn't he profile as a Hunt replacement during Hunt's absence?

• Hunt is averaging 5.2 ypc on 11.5 carries per game; Johnson averaged 6.6 ypc on 22 carries last week
  
• Hunt is averaging 8.1 ypr on 3.3 receptions per game; Johnson averaged 11.0 ypr on 2 receptions last week
  
• Johnson's game last week was against a top 5 defense (DEN) and with Keenum at QB, whereas Hunt's production this season was on average against weaker defenses and with Mayfield at QB
  

I assume the idea is that Hunt is better rounded, and specifically better in the passing game. But:

• Johnson had 64/792/11 receiving (12.4 ypr) in his last 3 college seasons; he is the all-time leader for South Florida in receptions and receiving yardage for a RB
  
• His NFL draft profile stated this as one of his strengths: "Reliable pass-catcher with just one drop to 64 catches over last three years"
  
• This article says: "He has good hands, secures the catch and turns upfield quickly. His open field abilities were on display as a returner as well, averaging 24.4 yards per kick return and 10.3 per punt over his career with the Bulls."
  

As another data point, consider the PFF grades this season for Hunt and Johnson, with rankings among all Browns offensive players in parentheses:

• Overall: Johnson 90.6 (#1) > Hunt 79.0 (#6)
  
• Running: Johnson 88.7 (#1) > Hunt 79.3 (#3)
  
• Receiving: Johnson 72.1 (#4) > Hunt 68.7 (#7)
  
• Pass blocking: Johnson 75.8 (#2) > Hunt 67.2 (#8)
  

Obviously, Johnson's body of work is smaller, but I expect him to have a role while Hunt is out. I'm planning to start both Johnson and Chubb this week in one 12 team league that starts 2 RBs + 2 flex (R/W/T) players.

This is all true - but the one intangible is the inscrutable nature of NFL coaches.  A fair question is why he did not see more volume when Chubb was out last year and he shared time with Hunt.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

I could see one more week of FF relevance while Chubb is coming back from injury. They’ll likely want to put Chubb on a pitch count & Johnson certainly showed well last week. I could be wrong. 

 

[tangfoot]

I could see one more week of FF relevance while Chubb is coming back from injury. They’ll likely want to put Chubb on a pitch count & Johnson certainly showed well last week. I could be wrong. 

I think this is a myth in general.  If Chubb suits up, he's likely the bell cow.  It's a division game against their most-hated rival, he's not taking snaps as a decoy.

 

[Stat Correction]

I have decided that D'Ernest is a definite hold this week  (upside flex only if you're in a bind) to see how things shake out. If he only gets a handful of touches, he becomes droppable in leagues with short benches, and a hold in deeper leagues, on par with upside #2's like Mattison, Dillon, etc.

Sad but probably true.....because he looked electric last week.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

I think this is a myth in general.  If Chubb suits up, he's likely the bell cow.  It's a division game against their most-hated rival, he's not taking snaps as a decoy.

Yeah, but the season is more than 1 game, and lightening the load for their star RB is something the Browns do anyway with Hunt. I don’t think it’s a myth in this case - just note their usual game plan. 

 

[menobrown]

I've tried asking around why we have so many calf injuries but have not been able to get an answer. I'm undoubtedly forgetting someone but off top of my head Chubb, Hunt, Evan Engram, Jimmy Garapollo, Kittle and now Dak. Again I know I'm forgetting someone but I certainly don't recall this injury being this prevalent.

Anyway one thing I've heard on calf injuries is they can be linger and be tricky.

I think there is  a good chance we don't see Kareem Hunt until after the bye, so not until week 14. I own a lot of Hunt and that's the week I'm planning on him returning.

The Browns use 2 RB's because when Hunt and Chubb are healthy they got two elite RB's. D'Ernest is not in that class so I'm not expecting anything like the usage Hunt was getting. But, I'd still be hanging onto D'Ernest because for possibly next 5 weeks you are a Chubb injury away from having a potential difference maker and because Chubb is recovering from a calf injury I think that increases his odds of injury.

 

[Just Win Baby]

The Browns use 2 RB's because when Hunt and Chubb are healthy they got two elite RB's. D'Ernest is not in that class so I'm not expecting anything like the usage Hunt was getting. But, I'd still be hanging onto D'Ernest because for possibly next 5 weeks you are a Chubb injury away from having a potential difference maker and because Chubb is recovering from a calf injury I think that increases his odds of injury.

Chubb and Hunt were both healthy for the first 5 games. During that time, Chubb averaged 19 opportunities (rushing attempts plus targets), and Hunt averaged 15.2... so, combined, they averaged 34.2 opportunities.

I suppose Chubb could get 25+ and Johnson could get the rest... but I doubt that, at least in the next week or two, with Chubb coming off injury and Johnson coming off such a great performance. Also, Chubb has only had 25 opportunities (as defined here -- rushing attempts plus targets) in 2 of 49 career games, and the last time was in November 2019.

I suppose the offense could give fewer opportunities to its RBs... but I doubt that with Keenum at QB, unless game situation dictates (i.e., Browns get down by big deficits).

"Getting the usage Hunt was getting" would mean getting 15 opportunities per game. If Chubb is healthy and Hunt is out, will Johnson get 15 opportunities? Maybe not, but I expect he will be close, especially with Chubb coming off injury.

 

[menobrown]

. If Chubb is healthy and Hunt is out, will Johnson get 15 opportunities? Maybe not, but I expect he will be close, especially with Chubb coming off injury.

I got Hunt missing weeks 8-12. In that 5 game span if Chubb's health holds up I got Johnson coming in around 6-8 per game. Maybe a little more the first week that Chubb is returning but declines and over course of that time about 6-8 touches per game. A desperation play in fantasy.

Also I think last year provided a bit of a guide. Johnson had a nice game when Chubb got hurt in week 4 so it's not like first time he filled in and had a good game. Hunt got banged up in that week 4 game as well but played through his injury  over next few weeks and what we saw  during that time Chubb was out was very little  of Johnson and in general a lot less touches to the RB's. Part of the less touches to RB's was likely due to Hunt being banged up but Johnson's role was meager. He got 8 touches the first game Chubb was out and then it declined. I anticipate a similar pattern.

I do advocate holding onto Johnson if you can but only in event Chubb gets hurt again.

 

[MAC_32]

I have decided that D'Ernest is a definite hold this week  (upside flex only if you're in a bind) to see how things shake out. If he only gets a handful of touches, he becomes droppable in leagues with short benches, and a hold in deeper leagues, on par with upside #2's like Mattison, Dillon, etc.

Sad but probably true.....because he looked electric last week.

I don't think he's a one week hold. He's either a zero or a two. Cause even if he gets 8 give or take touches this week I don't think there is any confidence playing him next week. It's another wait-and-see. The Browns have a QB problem, whether it's Keenum or a one armed Mayfield. That's likely going to lead to a negative game script @ Cincinnati. 

Should Chubb re-aggravate his calf injury, Johnson get a sufficient workload both weeks, or the Browns compete with Cincy then he becomes an interesting option the next 2 (maybe 3) weeks before the bye. The only scenario he becomes playable week 9 is if Chubb gets injured again though.

 

[tigerz]

I support the viewpoint that dernest steps into the hunt role and has enough volume with a great rushing offense to generate flex value with possible upside to rb1 in event of Chubb injury. He’s a great bench player. Every other quality handcuff is rostered and people flex worse so why not.

im all aboard this train. Hopefully we’re all high fiving each other a couple weeks from now.

 

[[icon]]

Those who think Johnson takes Hunt's role, I assume you're aware he signed a deal for over $13MM through 2022.. Meanwhile, Johnson is signed for 3 years at about 1.75MM. 

Do you guys think they're just going to bench Hunt when he's back healthy? How are you guys envisioning the 3 way split working? 

 

[Bayhawks]

Those who think Johnson takes Hunt's role, I assume you're aware he signed a deal about a month ago for over $13MM over the next two years. Meanwhile, Johnson is signed for 3 years at about 1.75MM. 

Do you guys think they're just going to bench Hunt when he's back healthy? How are you guys envisioning the 3 way split working? 

Pretty sure he signed that contract a little over a year ago, right?  September, 2020?

Also, I don't really want to speak for anyone else, but the way I'm reading the posts in this thread, they seem to be suggesting that Johnson will "take" Hunt's role, while Hunt is out.  I don't see any posts that I'm interpreting as saying Johnson has "Wally Pipp'd" Hunt.

 

[[icon]]

Pretty sure he signed that contract a little over a year ago, right?  September, 2020?

Also, I don't really want to speak for anyone else, but the way I'm reading the posts in this thread, they seem to be suggesting that Johnson will "take" Hunt's role, while Hunt is out.  I don't see any posts that I'm interpreting as saying Johnson has "Wally Pipp'd" Hunt.

Gotcha. That's on me misreading the posts. If the consensus is that Johnson is a rental for a few weeks then will give most if not all of the role back to Hunt upon return, then I'm in agreement. 

 

[heckmanm]

I'm holding in my contract league, hoping he gets signed as the starter somewhere else next year.

Worked beautifully for me last year with Mike Davis

 

[Just Win Baby]

Gotcha. That's on me misreading the posts. If the consensus is that Johnson is a rental for a few weeks then will give most if not all of the role back to Hunt upon return, then I'm in agreement. 

Agree. IMO as long as Johnson is healthy, he will have flex value in any game in which Chubb or Hunt are not available, and he will have RB1 value in any game in which both Chubb and Hunt are not available.

Those who think Johnson takes Hunt's role, I assume you're aware he signed a deal for over $13MM through 2022.

While this is true, Hunt can be released or traded after this season with no dead cap money for 2022 and beyond.

Hunt's cap hit in 2022 is currently $6.25M. It is certainly possible if Johnson continues to play well this season, the Browns would release or trade Hunt in order to repurpose that $6.25M.

Johnson is a RFA after this season. The right of first refusal RFA tender for 2022 is projected at ~$2.4M, so that is worst case, but I'm guessing the Browns could sign him for a lower amount.

 

[beer 30]

Chubb and Hunt were both healthy for the first 5 games. During that time, Chubb averaged 19 opportunities (rushing attempts plus targets), and Hunt averaged 15.2... so, combined, they averaged 34.2 opportunities.

I suppose Chubb could get 25+ and Johnson could get the rest... but I doubt that, at least in the next week or two, with Chubb coming off injury and Johnson coming off such a great performance. Also, Chubb has only had 25 opportunities (as defined here -- rushing attempts plus targets) in 2 of 49 career games, and the last time was in November 2019.

I suppose the offense could give fewer opportunities to its RBs... but I doubt that with Keenum at QB, unless game situation dictates (i.e., Browns get down by big deficits).

"Getting the usage Hunt was getting" would mean getting 15 opportunities per game. If Chubb is healthy and Hunt is out, will Johnson get 15 opportunities? Maybe not, but I expect he will be close, especially with Chubb coming off injury.

In order to win, whatever combo is back there will need to see somewhere around 30 touches. They just announced Baker is starting so that ads another layer of complexity to the game plan. I assume Mayfield can make the throws necessary for the game plan this week but I also suspect they are going to be guarding him moreso than usual, especially since it's PIT this week who have a pretty solid history of devastating CLE QB's.

For the record, Johnson isn't replacing Hunt when Hunt is ready to return. Does he give you an option to trade Hunt? Maybe but he's not replacing him.

 

[rschroeder1]

I really don't know what to make of this situation. 17 chances for Chubb vs. 7 for Johnson. As previous posts noted, this is about 10 combined chances lower than the average for the Browns' first five games with Chubb and Hunt.

Clearly game flow played a part, but I was surprised that Johnson was nothing more than a change of pace back.

I'm holding for my deeper league for now. I don't see why the Browns would abuse Chubb in a game with positive game flow. But I could be totally wrong.

 

[Faust]

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports Nick Chubb tested positive for COVID-19. 

It's a nightmare scenario for the Browns and Chubb drafters. Chubb, who is vaccinated against COVID-19, will need two negative tests 24 hours apart if he's going to play in Week 10 against New England. D'Ernest Johnson would slot in as Cleveland's lead back if Chubb were to miss the game. Johnson impressed in Week 7 against the Broncos, running for 146 yards and a score in a dominant performance. He would be a borderline RB1 if Chubb is sidelined. 

RELATED: 

Demetric Felton

, D'Ernest Johnson

SOURCE: Adam Schefter on Twitter 

Nov 9, 2021, 12:05 PM ET

 

[ignatiusjreilly]

Johnson is definitely worth a pickup with this Chubb news, but don't break the bank considering that Chubb (and Felton) may not miss any games.

 

[Bracie Smathers]

D'Ernest Johnson

Carries 5

Yards 61

Average 12.2

First quarter stats on the road against New England

 

[skol asylum]

D'Ernest Johnson

Carries 5

Yards 61

Average 12.2

First quarter stats on the road against New England

Somebody give this guy a full time starting job somewhere next year.

 

[rschroeder1]

I'm a bit baffled by why he has not occupied more of the Hunt role or RB2 role when Chubb has been healthy.  Curious what the coaches see that the rest of us don't.

Even his big negative today on the fumble,  he was covering up the ball just as the strip took place.  I.E. it wasn't lack of awareness like you see with some little-used RB.

The game against Detroit next week is going to be a very difficult call as a Johnson owner.

 

[tigerz]

I'm a bit baffled by why he has not occupied more of the Hunt role or RB2 role when Chubb has been healthy.  Curious what the coaches see that the rest of us don't.

Even his big negative today on the fumble,  he was covering up the ball just as the strip took place.  I.E. it wasn't lack of awareness like you see with some little-used RB.

The game against Detroit next week is going to be a very difficult call as a Johnson owner.

im dropping him if Chubb is playing and I have other options. Can be a desperation play against lions but he just doesn’t get enough volume when there are other options. Great handcuff though. One of the best. But because he needs both Chubb and hunt out hurts his long term value.

 

[MAC_32]

I'm a bit baffled by why he has not occupied more of the Hunt role or RB2 role when Chubb has been healthy.  Curious what the coaches see that the rest of us don't.

Even his big negative today on the fumble,  he was covering up the ball just as the strip took place.  I.E. it wasn't lack of awareness like you see with some little-used RB.

The game against Detroit next week is going to be a very difficult call as a Johnson owner.

Chubb only played 33 and 27 snaps in the 2 games they've played together without Hunt. I'm not understanding why he should play even less, so D'ernest can play more.

 

[rschroeder1]

Chubb only played 33 and 27 snaps in the 2 games they've played together without Hunt. I'm not understanding why he should play even less, so D'ernest can play more.

I don't mean snaps, I mean touches.  It's curious Cleveland would move away from its two-RB approach without Hunt, given what Johnson has shown on the field.  I don't mean to say he's going to be usable moving forward - I just don't get it.

 

[MAC_32]

I don't mean snaps, I mean touches.  It's curious Cleveland would move away from its two-RB approach without Hunt, given what Johnson has shown on the field.  I don't mean to say he's going to be usable moving forward - I just don't get it.

Browns went to their rb's on 50% of their snaps week 8 - Chubb 17, D'Ernest 7. 56% of their snaps week 9 - Chubb 16, D'Ernest 8. 

 

[rschroeder1]

Browns went to their rb's on 50% of their snaps week 8 - Chubb 17, D'Ernest 7. 56% of their snaps week 9 - Chubb 16, D'Ernest 8. 

There's more behind those numbers, though.

In Week 9, D'Ernest's touches came when the game was totally out of hand.  If I have my stats correct, he had zero touches until Chubb was pulled from the blowout.

To clarify further, I guess I'm talking about game involvement.  Johnson clearly has not filled the Hunt role; that's where my curiosity is.  I don't mean to say he's as good as Hunt, but he certainly is not incapable.

 

[MAC_32]

There's more behind those numbers, though.

In Week 9, D'Ernest's touches came when the game was totally out of hand.  If I have my stats correct, he had zero touches until Chubb was pulled from the blowout.

To clarify further, I guess I'm talking about game involvement.  Johnson clearly has not filled the Hunt role; that's where my curiosity is.  I don't mean to say he's as good as Hunt, but he certainly is not incapable.

The Browns ran just 26 points to get ahead 31-10 late in the 3rd. I don't understand why the Browns should have played their superior rb less to that point given those circumstances.

 

[rschroeder1]

The Browns ran just 26 points to get ahead 31-10 late in the 3rd. I don't understand why the Browns should have played their superior rb less to that point given those circumstances.

I don't see why this is so difficult - the Browns frequently play their #2 RB during all stanzas of the game, despite Chubb being superior to Hunt.  Perhaps you believe that's strategically incorrect - that's fine.

If you believe Johnson is drastically worse than Hunt, that's fine too.

Debating the existence of a two-RB system for a team that is most identified with that system seems unproductive.

 

[MAC_32]

I don't see why this is so difficult - the Browns frequently play their #2 RB during all stanzas of the game, despite Chubb being superior to Hunt.  Perhaps you believe that's strategically incorrect - that's fine.

If you believe Johnson is drastically worse than Hunt, that's fine too.

Debating the existence of a two-RB system for a team that is most identified with that system seems unproductive.

I just don't think there is enough data to support your narrative. And the data that does exist suggests the Browns are comfortable using D'Ernest to compliment Chubb. If the game script flowed more like several earlier games this season then I think the distribution would have been vastly different. 

 

[Drake Hater]

Great game from D'Ernest this week. Hate that his value goes down significantly with Chubb likely back this week. Hard to hold him on the roster with that being the case. 

 

[Team Smokin']

Great game from D'Ernest this week. Hate that his value goes down significantly with Chubb likely back this week. Hard to hold him on the roster with that being the case. 

I have Chubb and Hunt and D'Earnest on one team and trying to figure a way to hold D'Earnest for at least one more week to see how this pans out. I dropped D'Earnest before like so many and then was lucky to pick him back up for $5 FAB last Tuesday before Chubb was still considered hopeful. 

 

[JohnnyU]

Great game from D'Ernest this week. Hate that his value goes down significantly with Chubb likely back this week. Hard to hold him on the roster with that being the case. 

Not to mention when Hunt is back also.

 

[kface]

Not to mention when Hunt is back also.

Really makes you wonder why they gave hunt all that money?

 

[ahartig]

Anyone think D'ernest gets offers to be featured on a different team next year....kid has looked great and really knows how to squeeze out extra yards / get something out of nothing.   Can catch well too...the whole package.

 

[heckmanm]

Anyone think D'ernest gets offers to be featured on a different team next year....kid has looked great and really knows how to squeeze out extra yards / get something out of nothing.   Can catch well too...the whole package.

Hoping and holding in a couple of dyno/keeper leagues

 

[rschroeder1]

Anyone think D'ernest gets offers to be featured on a different team next year....kid has looked great and really knows how to squeeze out extra yards / get something out of nothing.   Can catch well too...the whole package.

From a financial standpoint, there's a reasonable opportunity for him to occupy the #2 RB / Hunt role for the Browns next season.  Hunt could be cut this offseason with zero dead cap, resulting in $6.25 million in cap savings.

Johnson's current cap hit is $850,000, and he is a restricted free agent this season.  With a bump in pay, the Browns could reasonably save around $5 million in cap space next year by cutting Hunt and going with Johnson.

Of course, that depends on what the Browns actually think of Johnson.

I am holding Johnson in a keeper league that has deep benches (12 teams, 17 roster spots), both for this possibility and the possibility of free agency.

 

[MAC_32]

From a financial standpoint, there's a reasonable opportunity for him to occupy the #2 RB / Hunt role for the Browns next season.  Hunt could be cut this offseason with zero dead cap, resulting in $6.25 million in cap savings.

Johnson's current cap hit is $850,000, and he is a restricted free agent this season.  With a bump in pay, the Browns could reasonably save around $5 million in cap space next year by cutting Hunt and going with Johnson.

Of course, that depends on what the Browns actually think of Johnson.

I am holding Johnson in a keeper league that has deep benches (12 teams, 17 roster spots), both for this possibility and the possibility of free agency.

It's more like $3m after considering his RFA'd contract, but...yes - this is a bullet in the Browns chamber. Slap the 2nd round tender on D'Ern (no team will mess with that) then shop Kareem for an early day 3 pick and cut him if no one bites.

 

[MAC_32]

Great game from D'Ernest this week. Hate that his value goes down significantly with Chubb likely back this week. Hard to hold him on the roster with that being the case. 

Deep/dynasty leagues aside if you're not playing him this week then he's not likely a priority hold. Hunt's targeting a week 12 return, the Browns are on Sunday night that week, and they're on bye the week after. The earliest he's possibly playable again is Dec 12 and he needs 2 injuries between now and then for it to happen.

 

[Just Win Baby]

It's more like $3m after considering his RFA'd contract, but...yes - this is a bullet in the Browns chamber. Slap the 2nd round tender on D'Ern (no team will mess with that) then shop Kareem for an early day 3 pick and cut him if no one bites.

It's more like $4M. I don't see them putting a second round tender on him.

While this is true, Hunt can be released or traded after this season with no dead cap money for 2022 and beyond.

Hunt's cap hit in 2022 is currently $6.25M. It is certainly possible if Johnson continues to play well this season, the Browns would release or trade Hunt in order to repurpose that $6.25M.

Johnson is a RFA after this season. The right of first refusal RFA tender for 2022 is projected at ~$2.4M, so that is worst case, but I'm guessing the Browns could sign him for a lower amount.

 

[MAC_32]

It's more like $4M. I don't see them putting a second round tender on him.

They can original round tender him, but then they're likely to just lose him. The extra mil for the round 2 tender essentially ensures they won't. If they choose the former then that tells me they want to retain Hunt.

 

[JohnnyU]

Deep/dynasty leagues aside if you're not playing him this week then he's not likely a priority hold. Hunt's targeting a week 12 return, the Browns are on Sunday night that week, and they're on bye the week after. The earliest he's possibly playable again is Dec 12 and he needs 2 injuries between now and then for it to happen.

I would sell for a mid to early 2nd in dynasty if I could get it.  Otherwise I’ll just hold.

 

[menobrown]

The Browns are not going to cut Kareem Hunt fella's, forget that pipe dream. If they got an offer they can't refuse to trade him sure but they are not giving him away, he's one of the best all around RB's in the league. D'Ernest has has a few good games but people are getting carried away with the cut Hunt talk. Sorry, reality break time.

 

[JohnnyU]

The Browns are not going to cut Kareem Hunt fella's, forget that pipe dream. If they got an offer they can't refuse to trade him sure but they are not giving him away, he's one of the best all around RB's in the league. D'Ernest has has a few good games but people are getting carried away with the cut Hunt talk. Sorry, reality break time.

Good posting.

 

[rschroeder1]

The Browns are not going to cut Kareem Hunt fella's, forget that pipe dream. If they got an offer they can't refuse to trade him sure but they are not giving him away, he's one of the best all around RB's in the league. D'Ernest has has a few good games but people are getting carried away with the cut Hunt talk. Sorry, reality break time.

It's not only a matter of Hunt vs. Johnson.  Cap management also factors in.  According to spotrac.com, Cleveland ranks 23rd in projected available cap space for 2022 (presumably this is not taking into account any obvious cut candidates), with about $26 million in cap space as of now.

Hunt only has one more year under contract.  If he is one of the best RBs in the league, he's either going to require a hefty pay raise or is leaving as a FA after '22.

With his RFA status, the Browns can sign Johnson to a multi-year affordable contract this offseason.

Teams have to make decisions like this all the time.  Johnson might be a downgrade in quality but an upgrade in financial flexibility.  I'm comfortable holding (league size matters, of course) to see what happens.

 

[Just Win Baby]

They can original round tender him, but then they're likely to just lose him. The extra mil for the round 2 tender essentially ensures they won't. If they choose the former then that tells me they want to retain Hunt.

Maybe I just don't know who they are, but I cannot name a RFA tendered by his team with the Right of First Refusal tender and ultimately signed away by another team. Can you?

I think it is very rare, yet hometown fans tend to overrate the likelihood.

 

[Just Win Baby]

The Browns are not going to cut Kareem Hunt fella's, forget that pipe dream. If they got an offer they can't refuse to trade him sure but they are not giving him away, he's one of the best all around RB's in the league. D'Ernest has has a few good games but people are getting carried away with the cut Hunt talk. Sorry, reality break time.

 

[MAC_32]

Maybe I just don't know who they are, but I cannot name a RFA tendered by his team with the Right of First Refusal tender and ultimately signed away by another team. Can you?

I think it is very rare, yet hometown fans tend to overrate the likelihood.

No, but if he is a priority for the Browns then they should do to him what the Ravens did to Gus. If he isn't a priority then slap the more exposed tender on him and see how the market responds. And if he isn't a priority then regardless of what transpires on the market I think it's more likely Hunt is retained. 

 

[Just Win Baby]

No, but if he is a priority for the Browns then they should do to him what the Ravens did to Gus. If he isn't a priority then slap the more exposed tender on him and see how the market responds. And if he isn't a priority then regardless of what transpires on the market I think it's more likely Hunt is retained. 

You seem to be making an assumption that giving him the ROFR tender = he isn't a priority. IMO that is a questionable assumption.

It gives them right of first refusal, so they don't necessarily lose him if another team wants him. And, as I posted previously, it is seemingly rare for tendered RFAs to be signed away by other teams.

IMO the most likely outcome is that the Browns sign him to a contract that isn't tied to his RFA tender, in which case he cannot be signed away by another team.