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Prospect Profile – Duke Johnson, RB, Miami
The University of Miami has a pretty nice track record of producing NFL talent, especially at the running back position. Edgerrin James , Clinton Portis, Frank Gore, and Willis McGahee are some of the more recognizable names to make the transition from The U to the NFL.
This list of names have all displayed great talent in college and the NFL. However, the player that has surpassed them all in career rushing yards and total scrimmage yards at Miami has not joined this group of premier NFL talent…..yet.
Duke Johnson has broken many of the records and milestones set by his predecessors at Miami and will look to do the same at the next level as he has declared as a Junior to leave school early and enter this year’s Draft.
Some “draftniks” have Johnson rated as their #1 running back in this draft class due mainly to his elite speed and agility. This same level of athleticism is what got C.J. Spiller drafted as the first running back off the board with the #9 overall pick just 5 years ago. But, like Spiller, Johnson has some durability concerns and questions on whether he can provide more to a team than being just a change-of-pace back.
To get a better feel on how whether he will alleviate or justify these concerns, here is how I break down his skill set and how it should translate into the league for his next team.
Vision – As soon as Johnson gets the ball, he explodes to top gear and races to daylight. On stretch plays, sweeps, or anything to the outside, Johnson excels in finding holes and cutback lanes. But on runs inside the tackles, he hasn’t showed the patience needed to wait for the hole to open up. Instead, he tries to accelerate through any glimpse of daylight in an attempt to power through to the second level. Due to his smaller frame, this tactic has not led to much success.
Speed/Quickness – If you’re a team looking for more explosion in your backfield, Johnson will likely be at the top of your list. Every touch has the potential of going the distance due to his elite speed and elusiveness.
His lateral quickness and cutting ability are also on par with some of the greats in the league, making him a great asset when getting the ball out in space.
Strength/Power – Johnson is tough for his size but does not possess the ability to succeed consistently on inside runs. He does show the determination and drive to be able to break through arm tackles, but when going head-to-head with a defender, it is not a battle that Johnson will win often.
Between his Junior and Senior year, Johnson packed on a few pounds to gain more power and durability and it seemed to help quite a bit. He has the frame to add some more weight but must be sure to not sacrifice too much of his speed and quickness in doing so.
His speed is his best weapon. If he loses a step, he will not be nearly as highly regarded as a prospect as he is right now.
Third-Down Skills – Due to the questionable quarterback play at Miami in recent years, Johnson has been able to showcase his impressive receiving skills when adjusting to poorly thrown balls. He runs good routes and has the natural hands to make an immediate impact for an NFL team as a receiving threat out of the backfield.
His pass blocking, however, does need some work. He seems very disinterested in this part of the game – which is understandable for a back only 5’9″ – but this is a skill that he must improve on if he intends to be a 3-down starter in the NFL.
Ball Security – Fumbles will be another concern with Johnson. He lost 6 fumbles in the last two years and was even demoted in 2013 after fumbling twice near the goal line in a single game.
Durability – An ankle injury forced Johnson out of the final five games of the 2013 season. His 2014 campaign was also hampered by nagging injuries. His 5’9″ and 195 pound frame has poven so far to be unable to shoulder the heavy workload without significant injury.
Summary – The skills that Johnson provides are similar to what both CJ Spiller and Gio Bernard offer to their respective teams. They each provide a massive upgrade to the speed and versatility to the offense. They are icredibly dynamic in space and have the ability to create explosive plays with any carry or reception.
However, they don’t have the frame or strength to carry the load as a complete 3-down back. They must be matched up with a power back to take over in short yardage or goal line situations to limit their carries and the chances of injury.
Johnson will be better suited to go to a tea with a heavy passing attack or one with a predominant zone blocking scheme to allow him to stretch out defenses and find cutback lanes. Some good fits would include the Raiders, Redskins, Falcons, Saints, Dolphins, Texans, Chargers, Cardinals, Ravens, Colts, and Patriots.
Be sure to check out the DFW Film Room for more on Duke Johnson
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Draft Breakdown games
Duke Johnson stats
The University of Miami has a pretty nice track record of producing NFL talent, especially at the running back position. Edgerrin James , Clinton Portis, Frank Gore, and Willis McGahee are some of the more recognizable names to make the transition from The U to the NFL.
This list of names have all displayed great talent in college and the NFL. However, the player that has surpassed them all in career rushing yards and total scrimmage yards at Miami has not joined this group of premier NFL talent…..yet.
Duke Johnson has broken many of the records and milestones set by his predecessors at Miami and will look to do the same at the next level as he has declared as a Junior to leave school early and enter this year’s Draft.
Some “draftniks” have Johnson rated as their #1 running back in this draft class due mainly to his elite speed and agility. This same level of athleticism is what got C.J. Spiller drafted as the first running back off the board with the #9 overall pick just 5 years ago. But, like Spiller, Johnson has some durability concerns and questions on whether he can provide more to a team than being just a change-of-pace back.
To get a better feel on how whether he will alleviate or justify these concerns, here is how I break down his skill set and how it should translate into the league for his next team.
Vision – As soon as Johnson gets the ball, he explodes to top gear and races to daylight. On stretch plays, sweeps, or anything to the outside, Johnson excels in finding holes and cutback lanes. But on runs inside the tackles, he hasn’t showed the patience needed to wait for the hole to open up. Instead, he tries to accelerate through any glimpse of daylight in an attempt to power through to the second level. Due to his smaller frame, this tactic has not led to much success.
Speed/Quickness – If you’re a team looking for more explosion in your backfield, Johnson will likely be at the top of your list. Every touch has the potential of going the distance due to his elite speed and elusiveness.
His lateral quickness and cutting ability are also on par with some of the greats in the league, making him a great asset when getting the ball out in space.
Strength/Power – Johnson is tough for his size but does not possess the ability to succeed consistently on inside runs. He does show the determination and drive to be able to break through arm tackles, but when going head-to-head with a defender, it is not a battle that Johnson will win often.
Between his Junior and Senior year, Johnson packed on a few pounds to gain more power and durability and it seemed to help quite a bit. He has the frame to add some more weight but must be sure to not sacrifice too much of his speed and quickness in doing so.
His speed is his best weapon. If he loses a step, he will not be nearly as highly regarded as a prospect as he is right now.
Third-Down Skills – Due to the questionable quarterback play at Miami in recent years, Johnson has been able to showcase his impressive receiving skills when adjusting to poorly thrown balls. He runs good routes and has the natural hands to make an immediate impact for an NFL team as a receiving threat out of the backfield.
His pass blocking, however, does need some work. He seems very disinterested in this part of the game – which is understandable for a back only 5’9″ – but this is a skill that he must improve on if he intends to be a 3-down starter in the NFL.
Ball Security – Fumbles will be another concern with Johnson. He lost 6 fumbles in the last two years and was even demoted in 2013 after fumbling twice near the goal line in a single game.
Durability – An ankle injury forced Johnson out of the final five games of the 2013 season. His 2014 campaign was also hampered by nagging injuries. His 5’9″ and 195 pound frame has poven so far to be unable to shoulder the heavy workload without significant injury.
Summary – The skills that Johnson provides are similar to what both CJ Spiller and Gio Bernard offer to their respective teams. They each provide a massive upgrade to the speed and versatility to the offense. They are icredibly dynamic in space and have the ability to create explosive plays with any carry or reception.
However, they don’t have the frame or strength to carry the load as a complete 3-down back. They must be matched up with a power back to take over in short yardage or goal line situations to limit their carries and the chances of injury.
Johnson will be better suited to go to a tea with a heavy passing attack or one with a predominant zone blocking scheme to allow him to stretch out defenses and find cutback lanes. Some good fits would include the Raiders, Redskins, Falcons, Saints, Dolphins, Texans, Chargers, Cardinals, Ravens, Colts, and Patriots.
Be sure to check out the DFW Film Room for more on Duke Johnson
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Draft Breakdown games
Duke Johnson stats
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