Duke Johnson

BEREA -- Todd Haley is not worried about having enough footballs to go around in the Browns backfield.

The Browns spent a lot of money to sign unrestricted free agent Carlos Hyde, re-sign Duke Johnson and draft Nick Chubb with one of their high draft picks.

Haley was asked if there were 'enough footballs’ to satisfy all of the teams backs.

“I am not worried about footballs," Haley said on the final day of minicamp. "I think that group has a chance to be a really good group. Even a couple of the younger guys look like they have some ability. I do not really have a philosophy. I have done it both ways. We led the league in rushing in Kansas City (2010) in a two-back, almost a two-and-a-half back system.

"Then in Pittsburgh obviously, when Le’Veon Bell was playing, he was playing," he said. "That will really be determined by those guys, what they are capable of handling on a down-in, down-out basis and really who gives us the best chance to win. Yet to be determined would be the best answer.”

Johnson likes offensive coordinator Haley’s new system.

“I like it all, to be honest with you," he said. "I just know that it is a lot for me to have to learn. I have to learn multiple positions, a lot of different checks and a lot of different things. It is a lot on my plate, but I embrace it. I am ready for the challenge. I am ready to come back after these three days to training camp and really show what I can do.”

Johnson will likely share the backfield with Hyde and Chubb. Hyde was signed as an unrestricted free agent for $15 million over three years, including $5 million guaranteed. Chubb was drafted in the second-round of the 2018 NFL Draft with the 35th overall pick. The pair off-set the loss of Isaiah Crowell, who signed with the New York Jets as an unrestricted free agent.

“They made a whole (new) team for the most part," Johnson said. "A lot of guys, a lot of new faces, like we just said. At the end of the day, I’m a player, but I also help teach and kind of mentor the younger guys, kind of teach them dos and don’ts and get caught up and just be that person for them to lean on. Regardless of who is in the room, I’m the same person every day.”

Johnson, 24, thinks the Browns offense can be very productive in 2018.

“I talk to my family and my brothers all the time about how on paper, we have a solid team," he said. "A very good team on paper. But again, we have to come out and perform. Everyone has to be on the same page. Everyone has to know what we are doing, game in and game out. We just have to make sure we prepare like we want to win.”

Hue Jackson thinks the Browns will continue to use Johnson as a pass receiving threat out of the backfield.

“I do. I think Duke is just a playmaker," Jackson said. "I think he can run with the ball. Now obviously, we have two other very capable runners. Obviously, his trait has been catching and he has caught it as well as anybody. He gives you that versatility to where you can put Duke in at a lot of places. I think he likes that. I think he relishes that opportunity to be all over the field, and create mismatches and all of those things. I think Todd will come up with a great plan for him and our offensive staff will put him into a position to play.”

Johnson (5-9, 210) led the Browns in receptions in 2017 with 74. His 74 receptions and 693 receiving yards were the most by a Browns running back in a season. Johnson went over 1,000 multi-purpose yards last season with 693 receiving and 348 in rushing for a total of 1,041 scrimmage yards. He had four touchdowns receiving and three as a runner.

Johnson joined former NFL star Herschel Walker (1986-88) as the only NFL running back to record 500 receiving yards in each of their first three seasons.

In 2015, as a rookie, Johnson rushed for 379 yards and caught 61 passes for 534 yards for a total of 913 scrimmage yards and had two touchdowns. In 2016, Johnson rushed for 358 yards and caught 53 passes for 514 yards for a total 872 scrimmage yards and one touchdown.

In his first three NFL seasons, Johnson has rushed 259 times for 1,085 yards (4.2 avg.) with five touchdowns. He has caught 188 passes for 1,741 yards (9.3 avg.) with five touchdowns.

Johnson signed a three-year extension just before minicamp. He said he is glad to have the contract situation behind him, so he can put all of his focus on playing football. Multiple reports said that the contract was for three-years, $15.6 million with $7.7 million guaranteed.

“That is a good sign on my part," he said. "I have been going out each year and doing my job – whatever that may be at that time – and proving to the organization that I am a consistent guy that is going to give you his all, game in and game out.”

Jackson was glad to get Johnson signed for the long term as he was in the final year of his rookie contract. He was drafted in the third-round of the 2015 NFL Draft.

“That was great, having who I think is one of the best play-makers on our team back in the fold for years to come," he said. "Duke has done some great things for our offensive football team. We expect him to do even more this year.”

#Browns RBs Carlos Hyde, Nick Chubb and others go through foot work drills pic.twitter.com/IA4OYYs3ie — Fred Greetham (@FredGreetham) June 13, 2018

Hyde (6-0, 235), a former second-round pick out of Ohio State, spent his first four NFL seasons with the San Francisco 49ers. He’s had success in both the run and pass games, accounting for at least 1,000 all-purpose yards the past two seasons. In 2017, he ran for 938 yards and had 350 receiving yards in 16 starts. For his career, he has 2,731 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns to go along with 109 receptions, 634 yards and three receiving touchdowns in 50 games, 36 of which he started.

Chubb (5-11, 227) signed a four-year contract for a reported $7.4 million according to spotrac.com and is expected to push Hyde for playing time, especially on first and second downs.

At Georgia, Chubb started 40 of 47 games, rushing 758 times for 4,769 yards and 44 touchdowns. He also caught 31 passes for 361 yards and four touchdowns. Chubb finished second in school history in rushing yards and had 24 100-yard rushing games and three 200-yard performances. As a senior in 2017, Chubb started all 15 games and rushed 223 times for 1,345 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Johnson feels his best football is still in front of him.

“I am still trying to find that groove, but last year was definitely a good start," he said. "I am just trying to figure out what I want to be in this league – what kind of player. Moving forward, last year is just something I can build on.”