What can Duke Johnson, Houston Texans achieve in 2020?

The Houston Texans have reserve running back Duke Johnson who is capable of being a big-play player.

Though the Houston Texans have David Johnson tapped as their starting running back, please don’t overlook what teammate Duke Johnson can bring to the team as well once the 2020 regular season begins.

Though there is talent at the running back spot for the Houston Texans, there are also questions surrounding the position because even though the potential is there, the job must be finished on the field too. Take, for instance, Duke Johnson and what he brings to the Texans for the 2020 season.

Duke Johnson is one of the very best role players in the league as a reserve running back because he’s capable of being a solid pass catcher for the Texans, as that has been his main role for the franchise.

Last season in Johnson’s first year with the Texans, he was the fourth-leading player in receiving yards on the team with 44 receptions on 62 targets for 410 yards and three receiving touchdowns. Johnson played in all 16 games a year ago, and not only that, he averaged nearly 10 yards per reception (9.3 ypr.) and 25.6 yards per game receiving. Even better, Duke Johnson had zero fumbles, 18 receptions for a first down, and of his 410 yards receiving, 362 of those yards came after the catch.

The Texans have undervauled talented players in their backfield, and Duke Johnson deserves much more praise. Johnson had a Pro Football Focus grade of 74.2, and the guess is that is mostly because of his pass catching abilities. Also don’t forget, Duke Johnson also had 83 carries for 410 yards and two rushing scores, all while averaging 4.9 yards per carry in his first season with the Texans.

Houston Texans News: Duke Johnson deserves a larger role in the offense

Those numbers can be repeated, and even exceeded, even with the addition of David Johnson because don’t be surprised if many of the Houston Texans plays and yards gained come from the backfield this season.

When trying to predict what Duke Johnson can achieve this season, there is great opportunity in front of him if he gets more time on the field and takes even better advantage of the targets he receives. There is no doubt he’ll have just as many targets as before, but like we’ve said before with David Johnson in a previous article, don’t be surprised when the production level of Duke Johnson improves.

Duke Johnson deserves to have more of a role in the Houston Texans offense in 2020, and with Tim Kelly being in charge of the offense this year, it would be a nice new wrinkle to have Johnson more involved with the offense in 2020, and he is deserving of a larger role to prove how good he can be.