Four former Miami Hurricanes ranked among best unsigned NFL free agents

Duke Johnson Running Back

Johnson broke Ottis Anderson’s Miami all-time rushing record with 3,519 yards and with 4,238 yards from scrimmage in three seasons with the Hurricanes from 2012-2014. Johnson also had 69 receptions for 719 yards and four touchdowns during his Miami Hurricanes career. Johnson had 26 rushing TDs.

Johnson was an elite kick returner in three seasons with Miami. On 41 returns, Johnson accumulated 1,288 yards for a 31.4 yard average with four TDs. In 2012, Johnson finished third in FBS averaging 33.04 yards per kickoff return with two TDs. With only 14 kickoff returns in 2013, Johnson didn’t have enough to qualify.

A 28.3 kickoff return average would have placed Johnson 10th in 2013. Johnson did not return any kickoffs during his final season with the Miami Hurricanes. In the NFL Johnson has become a pass-catching specialist. In his six seasons in the NFL, Johnson has only 459 carries for 1,931 yards and eight TDs.

Comparatively, Johnson has 307 receptions for 2,829 yards and 12 TDs. Johnson only was used as a returner in 2017 with the Cleveland Browns. Cleveland drafted Johnson in the third round in 2016. Johnson had 17 punt returns for 112 yards in 2017. Houston acquired Johnson in 2020 for a 2019 fourth-round pick.

"27. RB DUKE JOHNSON JR.  Johnson epitomizes what the modern running back should look like as he’s an excellent receiver who can create mismatches in the pass game. Since entering the league, Johnson has a 91.0 receiving grade, ranking in the 90th percentile during that time. He’s also 11th in yards per route at 1.55 and eighth in missed tackles forced per attempt at 0.21. Johnson can create on his own as a runner and add value to the pass game, so teams in need of a pass-catching complementary option should take note. Contract Analysis: Johnson’s three-year, $15.61 million ($5.203M APY) extension signed with the Cleveland Browns in 2018 was a market-setter for a player primarily considered a third-down back. Running backs like Dion Lewis, James White and Giovani Bernard have all since signed for just beneath Johnson, who was then traded a year later to the Houston Texans for a conditional fourth-round pick that became a third-rounder. Johnson isn’t just a scat back though, in fact he’s the all-time leading rusher at the University of Miami – topping a list with names like Edgerrin James, Clinton Portis and Willis McGahee. Now set to play for his third NFL team, Johnson is only 27-years-old, and questions remain as to whether he’s ever truly been used effectively. Prediction: Two-years, $6.5 million ($3.25M APY), $4.25 million total guaranteed."