Pre-draft Johnson attended the
NFL Scouting Combine in
Indianapolis and performed a few combine drills before sustaining a
hamstring injury. Due to his injury, Johnson skipped the
three-cone drill and
short shuttle and voluntarily chose to skip the
bench press. On April 1, 2015, he participated at Miami's
pro day and chose to perform the majority of combine drills, but elected to skip the
broad jump. Johnson improved his
40-yard dash (4.51s), 20-yard dash (2.57s), 10-yard dash (1.58s), and
vertical jump (35") and also completed the bench press (18), short shuttle (4.16s), and three-cone drill (6.88s). Scouts and team representatives from all 32 NFL teams attended Miami's pro day, including head coaches
Mike Tomlin Pittsburgh Steelers,
Todd Bowles New York Jets, and
Sean Payton New Orleans Saints. Johnson also attended private workouts and visits with the
New York Giants and
Atlanta Falcons. At the conclusion of the pre-draft process, he was projected to be a second-round pick by NFL draft experts and scouts. Johnson was ranked as the fourth best running back prospect in the draft by DraftScout.com and NFL analyst
Mike Mayock, was ranked the fifth best running back by
Sports Illustrated and
Scouts Inc., and was ranked the seventh best running back by NFL analyst
Charles Davis.
Cleveland Browns 2015 The
Cleveland Browns selected Johnson in the third round (77th overall) in the 2015 NFL Draft. He was the sixth running back drafted in 2015. On June 16, 2015, the Browns signed Johnson to a four-year, $3.1 million contract with a
signing bonus of $710,092. On August 1, Johnson injured his hamstring on the first day of the Browns'
training camp. He was sidelined for the next 10 days, and was inactive during the
first preseason game against the
Washington Redskins at
FirstEnergy Stadium. During Johnson's first pre-season appearance, he was diagnosed with a concussion and was removed from the game. Throughout training camp, Johnson competed to be one of the primary running backs in the Browns' rotation against
Isaiah Crowell,
Terrance West, and
Shaun Draughn. Head coach
Mike Pettine named Johnson the backup running back, behind Isaiah Crowell, to begin the regular season. Johnson replaced Terrance West after West showed up to training camp overweight and was released as part of final roster cuts. Johnson made his professional regular season debut and first career start in the season opener against the Jets and had seven carries for 22 yards during the 31–10 road loss. Three weeks later against the
San Diego Chargers, Johnson had eight carries for 31 yards and recorded a season-high nine receptions for 85 yards and scored his first career touchdown in the 30–27 road loss. Johnson scored his first career touchdown on a 34-yard reception by quarterback
Josh McCown in the second quarter. During Week 14 against the
San Francisco 49ers, he had a season-high 13 carries for 78 yards in the 24–10 victory. Johnson finished his rookie year with 104 carries for 379 yards and 61 receptions for 534 yards and two touchdowns in 16 games and seven starts. Johnson's 61 receptions are the second-most by a Browns rookie, tied with wide receiver
Greg Little. Among rookies, Johnson ranked first in receptions and receiving yards among rookie running backs and second in receptions overall, just under
Oakland Raiders'
Amari Cooper. Johnson was ranked sixth overall among rookies in receiving yards and was one of six rookies to surpass 500 yards receiving.
2016 On January 4, 2016, the Browns fired head coach Mike Pettine and general manager
Ray Farmer after the Browns finished with a 3–13 record in 2015. During training camp, Johnson competed to be the starting running back against Isaiah Crowell. New head coach
Hue Jackson officially named Johnson the backup running back, behind Isaiah Crowell, to start the regular season. During Week 3 against the
Miami Dolphins, Johnson had a season-high 10 carries for 69 yards and caught five passes for 12 yards in the 30–24 road loss. Three weeks later against the
Tennessee Titans, Johnson had four carries for 18 yards and four receptions for 56 yards while also scoring his first rushing touchdown in the narrow 28–26 road loss. During Week 8 against the Jets, Johnson caught six passes for a season-high 87 yards and had four carries for 29 yards in the 31–28 loss. Johnson finished his second professional season with 73 carries for 358 yards (4.9 yards per carry) and a touchdown to go along with 53 receptions for 514 yards in 16 games and one start. Johnson served as a punt returner in 2016 and had 17 returns for 112 yards. He also had two fumbles and recorded two solo tackles in special teams.
2017 Johnson shared the Browns' backfield with Isaiah Crowell in the 2017 season. During Week 15 against the
Baltimore Ravens, Johnson became the first NFL running back since
Herschel Walker in 1986–1988 to record at least 500 receiving yards in each of his first three seasons. Johnson finished the 2017 season with 82 carries for 348 yards and four touchdowns to go along with 74 receptions for 693 yards and three touchdowns in 16 games and no starts as the Browns struggled to only the second 0–16 season in NFL history.
2018 On June 7, 2018, the Browns signed Johnson to a three-year, $15.61 million contract extension with $7.75 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $3 million. Through the first six games, Johnson retained his familiar role as a runner and catcher totaling 111 rushing yards and 14 receptions for 164 yards. Before Week 7, Hyde was traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars. During Week 9 against the
Kansas City Chiefs, Johnson had nine receptions for 78 yards and two touchdowns in the 37–21 loss. Overall, he finished the 2018 season with 40 carries for 201 yards to go along with 47 receptions for 429 yards and three touchdowns in 16 games and two starts.
Houston Texans 2019 On August 8, 2019, Johnson was traded to the
Houston Texans for a conditional 2020 fourth-round pick that can become a third-round pick if active on the Texans roster for 10 games. Johnson made his debut with the Texans in the season-opener against the Saints and finished the narrow 30–28 road loss with nine carries for 57 yards and four receptions for 33 yards. Overall, Johnson finished the 2019 season with 83 carries for 410 yards and two touchdowns to go along with 44 receptions for 410 yards and three touchdowns in 16 games and two starts.
2020 In the 2020 season, Johnson finished with 77 carries for 235 yards and a touchdown to go along with 28 receptions for 249 yards and a touchdown in 11 games and five starts. On February 26, 2021, Johnson was released by the Texans.
Jacksonville Jaguars On September 6, 2021, Johnson was signed to the
practice squad of the
Jacksonville Jaguars. He was released 10 days later.
Miami Dolphins On October 26, 2021, Johnson was signed to the Dolphins practice squad. On December 19, 2021, in his first home game with the Dolphins, Johnson rushed for a career high 107 yards and two touchdowns in a 31–24 victory over the Jets. The next day, Johnson was signed to the active roster. He finished the 2021 season with 71 carries for 330 yards and three touchdowns to go along with four receptions for 41 yards in five games and four starts.
Buffalo Bills On March 22, 2022, Johnson signed a one-year deal with the
Buffalo Bills. He was released on August 30, but was signed to the practice squad the next day. Johnson's practice squad contract with the team expired after the season on January 22, 2023.
Retirement Johnson announced his retirement from the NFL on May 5, 2024. ==Career statistics==