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Duke Johnson RB Dolphins (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Biabreakable
- Start date
King of the Jungle
Footballguy
I have to imagine they will address the position somehow....I don’t think Duke becomes a bellcow.
flapgreen
Footballguy
Interseptopus
Footballguy
I'd feel slightly higher about him than I did a week ago, but at the same time he isn't a rusher and isnt a bellcow.
az_prof
Footballguy
I agree. But whomever the time share will more likely be closer to 50/50 with Duke getting more runs than he would have before plus receptions.
The Frankman
Footballguy
Yeah, this being the Texans I can't see them letting Duke be the man. If anything this makes Damarea Crockett relevant again.
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Elevencents
Footballguy
az_prof
Footballguy
At this point you have rejects and ancient dudes. No way will they trade for someone very good given they already traded a third rounder for the position.
Elevencents
Footballguy
Eh if they bring in Gordon, Duke suddenly has less value than he did pre-injury. Even ADP, I don’t see his touches changing.
Gopher State
Footballguy
Gordon seems like the move here!!!!!
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
cross post from Crockett thread:
✔@adamlevitan
Not sure why it's assumed Duke Johnson can't handle a featured role.
* 210 pounds
* Averaged 18.4 carries over final two NCAA seasons
* HOU gave a 3rd-rd pick for him
* Never missed an NFL game in four seasons
7:57 PM - Aug 24, 2019
https://twitter.com/adamlevitan
✔@adamlevitan
Not sure why it's assumed Duke Johnson can't handle a featured role.
* 210 pounds
* Averaged 18.4 carries over final two NCAA seasons
* HOU gave a 3rd-rd pick for him
* Never missed an NFL game in four seasons
7:57 PM - Aug 24, 2019
https://twitter.com/adamlevitan
Elevencents
Footballguy
I just don’t think Houston traded for him to be the lead back at some point. He is phenomenal at what he does, and while he could certainly do it and I think he would EXCEL at it, I just don’t think it’s as easy as “Well kid, you’re gonna be touching the call 22-25 times a game now. Don’t #### up”. I think they actively attempt to bring in a banger - not because they have to but because it fits the system they’re rolling out.
Hot Sauce Guy
Footballguy
Hot Sauce Guy
Footballguy
I think Duke would be a fantastic feature back. Size, hands, pass pro - dude can do it all. He did it in college. Durability could be a concern, but no more nor less than other running back.
Hot Sauce Guy
Footballguy
But why wouldn't Duke fit that system?
I don't see why they can't just hand it to him 20-25 times and see what happens.
He's a good football player. He plays running back. He's carried the ball before. They run a 1-cut system, right? So he just has to hit the hole & go.
Miller was actually a kind of crappy fit for that system since he dances behind the line so much - he seemed to get better about that last year, but still wasn't awesome.
Duke certainly has the quicks & vision to bang through a hole - I don't see why they couldn't give him a shot.
Man In The Box
Footballguy
I’m a huge fan of Duke. I think he was mis-used in Cleveland and I definitely think he can be “the guy” in Houston. My biggest concern is their horrid line play, not his size or ability to carry the ball.
Hot Sauce Guy
Footballguy
Duke? 6th. Everyone’s saying HOU will bring someone in, and no one believes he’ll be the guy.
The mock draft simulator at fantasy pros jumped him from a 10th-11th rounder to a ~6th.
A bit steep compared to others of similar ADP, but I could see flex in PPR at that price if you’re not a fan of the others in that range.
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
FYI stuff (full PPR, start 2 with W/R/T Flex):
Moved DJJ in my ranks from 105 (RB39) to 71 (RB31) RB4 range with Sanders & Penny.
In the high 50s I have a group of RB3s I’ll be targeting at the 5/6 turn: Cohen-Coldeman-Drake-Murray-White.
Tier after is low 80s: Breida-Eckler-Freeman-Guice-Henderson.
Moved DJJ in my ranks from 105 (RB39) to 71 (RB31) RB4 range with Sanders & Penny.
In the high 50s I have a group of RB3s I’ll be targeting at the 5/6 turn: Cohen-Coldeman-Drake-Murray-White.
Tier after is low 80s: Breida-Eckler-Freeman-Guice-Henderson.
tombonneau
Footballguy
Seems like same scenario that netted him a top 10 PPR season in 2017 only this time on a better offense with less RB competition and a real QB. What's there's not to love?
Snorkelson
Footballguy
Who can they even bring in? There’s isn’t anyone on the ww that would be any sort of difference maker.
TheWinz
Footballguy
Ever wonder if there's any correlation between Watson getting sacked a league-high 62 times and throwing to his RB's a league-low 13.8% of the time? Is Duke's presence going to trend both of those numbers in the right directions? The first number has a few extra factors to add in - OL and Watson's decision-making, but the second number is all but guaranteed.
For those saying Lamar's injury will make no real difference in Duke's usage, I totally disagree. The minute Duke was signed, his role as the passing down back was solidified. And the minute Lamar went down, he became, at worst, the 1B in a timeshare with a stranglehold on passing downs. Why can't he be the 1A? He hasn't missed a game in his 4 yr NFL career. He is plenty big enough at 5'9" and near 210. CLE only gave him double digit carries twice in 2015, once in 2016, and once in 2017. And how did he do? 45 carries for 244 yards = 5.42 YPC. As a senior for Miami, he averaged 22 touches a game.
Last year, Duke hit 10 touches only once. I'd bet the farm he eclipses that in week 1.
For those saying Lamar's injury will make no real difference in Duke's usage, I totally disagree. The minute Duke was signed, his role as the passing down back was solidified. And the minute Lamar went down, he became, at worst, the 1B in a timeshare with a stranglehold on passing downs. Why can't he be the 1A? He hasn't missed a game in his 4 yr NFL career. He is plenty big enough at 5'9" and near 210. CLE only gave him double digit carries twice in 2015, once in 2016, and once in 2017. And how did he do? 45 carries for 244 yards = 5.42 YPC. As a senior for Miami, he averaged 22 touches a game.
Last year, Duke hit 10 touches only once. I'd bet the farm he eclipses that in week 1.
TheWinz
Footballguy
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
Texas guy.
Well by way of London (Nigerian immigrants) but he played h.s. ball in the DFW area.
Snorkelson
Footballguy
I guess for me they should have already had him there if he’s any good. Before duke that backfield looked Pathetic (capital p). Duke was a nice add for them but wtf are they doing this offseason at rb? Looked like they were in on foreman, only to cut him. They have a good team but couldn’t add some depth in the late rds?
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
Nailed it. Great QB/WR combo, good defense, excellent special teams...how they are not primed for a SB run if they don’t decide “yeah let’s roll with underwhelming Lamar a fourth straight year.” Baffling.
DocHolliday
Footballguy
This makes a lot of sense. Duke is going have 15 touches/game. He is a good RB that now has opportunity.
Snorkelson
Footballguy
Agree 100%. They’ll bring in someone off the trash heap. They’ll stink. Duke has wanted this opportunity and is hungry. I think he rises to the occasion. I don’t see ajayi, Crockett, or anyone else garnering carries and looking like “whoa, we need to get that guy the ball more” a la dar Thompson. He’s shown he is capable. He’s not too small. Rb2 numbers seem pretty attainable, but I honestly think he could flirt with rb1 if it plays out like this.
TheWinz
Footballguy
He has been foaming at the mouth for 4 years, trying to lose the label of simply being a pass-catching 3rd down back. He WILL get a chance to lose that label this year.
Bracie Smathers
Footballguy
I don't know about that.
I love Duke and thought he should have had more touches with the Browns but he couldn't beat out the Crow and then Carlos Hyde took center stage. Then Chubb and even though he was the perfect pass receiving back, neither Haley nor Kitchens used him as much as they should.
I honestly don't know why he never got more touches because his numbers screamed for more but he never got the ball and it really bugged me as to why.
We'll see if he is a legit bell-cow RB because no one is in his way.
He 'should' get 15 touches per game but I dunno....
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chad in Indy
Footballguy
I can see Carlos Hyde getting cut in KC and being on the first plane to Houston. Average player but "vet" presence who would not disrupt the lockerroom and willing to assume any role he can to keep playing.
King of the Jungle
Footballguy
Not sure about that....a couple of years ago he wanted to be moved to receiver if I remember correctly....
TheWinz
Footballguy
My point still stands - he wants more touches, and doesn't want to be typecast. He was behind Crowell his first 3 yrs in CLE, then they bring in Hyde, draft Chubb, and sign Hunt. It was time to go.
SeniorVBDStudent
Footballguy
The other name mentioned yesterday besides Ajayi was ADP given the Texas connection. I might vote ADP personally...but I'm not sure that DJJ isn't the best option.
Jayded
Footballguy
As a Texans fan and Duke owner, I’ll give you my opinion.
The Texans, when we’ve had a GM, have been historically cheap with the position. Before Miller, RB was just a plug and play just-a-guy mentality.
Miller has been a decent back but his performance demonstrates the above more than people realize: he is decent but not spectacular but it’s been ok.
As a fan, I’d love someone like Gordon if we could make it work as our window on Watson’s rookie deal window is closing.
I expect the Texans to take the more cheap route here. They paid for Duke and while a 3rd isn’t significant, it’s more than they usually would give for the role.
This feels like Duke 50-60%, JAG RB2&3 40-50%. Duke is the guy to own unless they make a move. Don’t chase Crockett, Higdon, etc.
If they were to make a deal, the RB will likely be the lesser piece of the deal. One I’d be fond of would be Clowney + pick for ADP + Trent Williams. Even in this scenario, I’d envision a 50/50 split with the Texans going less ground and pound and using Duke / Keke as James White like and being ok with it.
The Texans, when we’ve had a GM, have been historically cheap with the position. Before Miller, RB was just a plug and play just-a-guy mentality.
Miller has been a decent back but his performance demonstrates the above more than people realize: he is decent but not spectacular but it’s been ok.
As a fan, I’d love someone like Gordon if we could make it work as our window on Watson’s rookie deal window is closing.
I expect the Texans to take the more cheap route here. They paid for Duke and while a 3rd isn’t significant, it’s more than they usually would give for the role.
This feels like Duke 50-60%, JAG RB2&3 40-50%. Duke is the guy to own unless they make a move. Don’t chase Crockett, Higdon, etc.
If they were to make a deal, the RB will likely be the lesser piece of the deal. One I’d be fond of would be Clowney + pick for ADP + Trent Williams. Even in this scenario, I’d envision a 50/50 split with the Texans going less ground and pound and using Duke / Keke as James White like and being ok with it.
The Frankman
Footballguy
I would love to see him be a feature back, he never got a shot at it.
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King of the Jungle
Footballguy
DocHolliday
Footballguy
I don't think Duke is going to the bell cow. I do think he gets a good amount of touches and leads a RBBC. Bell cow RBs are not the norm these days.
Hot Sauce Guy
Footballguy
They could make a trade. Cagey vet like AP or it’s been suggested they could use their cap space to sign Melvin Gordon. That seems....unlikely.
TheWinz
Footballguy
Fair point. Or maybe he just wanted more playing time, we will never know unless we ask him.
Hey Duke - If you are in here under an alias, care to chime in?
Hot Sauce Guy
Footballguy
I agree. I’d expect him to be a 65-35 split with whatever other scrubs HOU runs out there.
I’m not expecting a big name trade. Gut feeling. Maybe a recycling project.
