Duke Johnson’s replacement already on Cleveland Browns roster
By Cory Kinnan
Dontrell Hilliard
Dontrell Hilliard was added to the active roster last season off of the Browns’ practice squad and saw a bit of time on the field in 2018. This summer, however, Hilliard has been thriving as a running back both on the ground and through the air and is currently the front-runner for the backup running back job for the Browns.
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While Hilliard has never recorded a carry as a professional football player, he has thrown an interception on a trick play. He has been seen hitting the turf on long runs for the Browns during practice, as well as getting in his work with the receivers to work on his route running and ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. Hopefully no passing attempts are in the future for Hilliard moving forward.
He has shown flash on the field, however, as Hilliard contributed in the return game for the Browns a year ago. Hillard has shown significant open field speed, so if he can put together the traits of finding and hitting holes, then he has the tools to make an effective runner in the NFL.
The Browns also have a back on the roster who has seen carries as a professional football player, but not on the NFL level. Could this next player see significant playing time for the Browns in 2019?