When the Texans released D’Onta Foreman, it became pretty obvious they would add a new running back. That deal went down today, with a trade for Duke Johnson.

The Texans gave up a fourth-round pick for the 25-year-old running back. That pick could turn into a third-rounder, depending on Johnson’s production.

Cleveland probably would have liked to keep Johnson around. He would have been their third-down back, and he would have been a valuable backup behind Nick Chubb for the first half of the season. But Johnson wanted out following the team’s decision to sign Kareem Hunt.

In Houston, Johnson should share time with Lamar Miller. Neither back is suited to play in a heavy-duty full-time role, but they should be a decent enough one-two punch. Miller likely will get more of the carries (particularly early in the season). Johnson is one of the league’s best pass-catching running backs.

Over the last four years, Johnson has compiled 2,170 receiving yards – most of any running back in the league. He’s also averaged over 9 yards per catch three years in a row.

RUNNING BACK RECEIVING (last 4 yrs)
PlayerNoYardsAvgTD
Duke Johnson, Cle.2352,1709.28
James White, N.E.2432,1418.819
Theo Riddick, Det.2471,8967.710
Todd Gurley, LAR1871,88310.110
David Johnson, Ariz.1721,84910.811
Melvin Gordon, LAC1821,5778.710
Alvin Kamara, N.O.1621,5359.59
Christian McCaffrey, Car.1871,5188.111
Giovani Bernard, Cin.1661,4158.53
LeVeon Bell, Pitt.1841,4077.64
Devonta Freeman, Atl.1681,3808.26
Chris Thompson, Was.1641,3678.39
LeSean McCoy, Buff.1751,3347.65
Mark Ingram, N.O.1751,3107.55
T.J. Yeldon, Jac.1711,3027.66
Kyle Juszczyk, Blt.-S.F.1411,2268.76
Ezekiel Elliott, Dall.1351,1998.96
Dion Lewis, N.E.-Ten.1441,0967.66
Tarik Cohen, Chi.1241,0838.76
Lamar Miller, Mia.-Hou.1391,0757.77
Jalen Richard, Oak.1241,0578.53
Bilal Powell, NYJ1391,0567.65
Darren Sproles, Phil.1291,0488.15
Tevin Coleman, Atl.921,01011.011
Charles Sims, T.B.1101,0009.16

With Houston, I don’t expect Johnson to be used heavily as a pass catcher. I don’t think he’ll catch 60-plus balls.

He’s great that role, of course, but that’s not how that offense has run. With Deshaun Watson, I think they’re more interested in having him scramble around, buying time to then connect on high-payoff passes downfield.

The Texans last year completed only 50 passes to running backs – 18 fewer than any other team.

TEAM RUNNING BACK RECEPTIONS
TeamNoYardsAvgTD
New England1219998.38
Detroit1167536.51
Carolina1149198.17
NY Giants1138607.64
New Orleans1099038.37
LA Chargers1071,0509.87
Oakland1078397.80
Chicago1029659.57
Jacksonville987918.15
Indianapolis976166.43
Denver957007.42
Dallas886407.33
Pittsburgh887528.54
Cincinnati835556.71
San Francisco837819.43
Cleveland827128.75
Kansas City8292211.212
Washington816137.63
Arizona796037.63
Minnesota785637.22
Miami776708.77
Philadelphia776608.64
Tennessee744996.71
Green Bay726018.31
Baltimore704546.53
LA Rams706769.75
Buffalo695888.50
Atlanta684716.95
NY Jets685998.82
Seattle685097.51
Tampa Bay684346.41
Houston503807.62

Both Miller and Johnson played their college football at Miami. Johnson left as the school’s all-time leading rusher. That’s kind of cool, given the many greats that have played that position at that school – Edgerrin James, Frank Gore, Willis McGahee, Clinton Portis and others. That school had Chuck Foreman and Ottis Anderson in the ‘70s, and Alonzo Highsmith, Melvin Bratton and Cleveland Gary in the ‘80s.

If I’m drafting today, I would select Miller before Johnson. If it’s a PPR format, I don’t think there’s a massive difference between the two (I would select Miller first, but it wouldn’t surprise me at all if Johnson finished with better PPR numbers).

Miller is 28 and in a contract year. In a dynasty league format, Johnson is definitely the better of these two backs.

—Ian Allan