Fullback Andy Janovich, who brings some experience at a position the Browns plan to deploy often in 2020, has joined the team following a trade with the Broncos.
Here are five things to know about the Browns' newest addition on offense.
1) Janovich comes to Cleveland after four seasons in Denver. A sixth-round pick out of Nebraska, Janovich took on a role right away, appearing in 11 games as a rookie before seeing the field in all 16 in back-to-back seasons in 2017 and 2018. Janovich started in 19 games over four years but was limited to just seven games overall in 2019 because of an elbow injury that prematurely ended his season.
2) Since entering the NFL, Janovich has been a blocker first and foremost out of the fullback position. Beyond putting himself in front of would-be tacklers, Janovich has made more of an impact as a pass-catcher than he has as a runner. He's rushed 13 times for 51 yards -- 28 of those coming on the first carry of his career, which resulted in a touchdown -- while catching 22 passes for 233 yards. In a recent interview on Cleveland Browns Daily, Janovich jokingly dismissed his threat as a playmaker with the ball in his hands. "I'm not outrunning anybody," he said. "I guess they're forgetting I'm there."
Check out photos of Fullback Andy Janovich
Denver Broncos running back Andy Janovich (32) runs during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Sunday, Nov. 4, 2018 in Denver, Colo. (Greg Trott via AP)
Nebraska fullback Andy Janovich (35) is pursued by Wisconsin nose tackle Olive Sagapolu (65) and nose tackle Conor Sheehy (94) as he runs for a 55 yard touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015. Wisconsin won 23-21. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
Denver Broncos fullback Andy Janovich runs against the Houston Texans during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 24, 2016, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Broncos fullback Andy Janovich (32) enters the field from the tunnel during player introductions before an NFL regular season football game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019 in Denver. The Chiefs won, 30-6. (Ric Tapia via AP)
Denver Broncos fullback Andy Janovich (32) carries the ball during an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019, in Denver. The Chiefs beat the Broncos 30-6. (Cooper Neill via AP)
Denver Broncos fullback Andy Janovich (32) during the National Anthem prior to an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2019, in Denver. The Broncos won 24-19. (Aaron Doster via AP)
Denver Broncos running back Andy Janovich runs for yardage against the Kansas City Chiefs during a NFL football game, Thursday Oct. 17, 2019 in Denver. The Chiefs defeated the Broncos, 30-6. (G. Newman Lowrance via AP)
Denver Broncos fullback Andy Janovich (32) enters the field during player introductions prior to kick off of the NFL game between the Denver Broncos and the Kansas City Chiefs in Denver, Thursday, October 17, 2019. (Eric Bakke via AP)
Denver Broncos fullback Andy Janovich (32) during an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2019, in Denver. The Broncos won 24-19. (Aaron Doster via AP)
Denver Broncos fullback Andy Janovich scores a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Broncos fullback Andy Janovich (32) heads to the end zone on a 20 yard reception for a touchdown during the fourth quarter of NFL game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, December 30, 2018, in Denver. (Eric Bakke via AP)
FILE - In this Aug. 11, 2018, file photo, Denver Broncos fullback Andy Janovich watches during the second half in an NFL football preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings, in Denver. Janovich has signed a three-year extension with the Denver Broncos worth $5.7 million. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey, File)
Denver Broncos fullback Andy Janovich (32) waits in the hall before introductions before the start of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
This is a photo of Andy Janovich of the Denver Broncos NFL football team. This image reflects the Denver Broncos active roster as of Thursday, June 6, 2019. (AP Photo)
Denver Broncos fullback Andy Janovich (32) during an NFL regular season football game against the Houston Texans on Sunday, Nov. 4, 2018 in Denver. The Texans won, 19-17. (Ric Tapia via AP)
Denver Broncos fullback Andy Janovich visits with an armed services member before the start of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Josie Lepe)
Denver Broncos fullback Andy Janovich walks down a hallway towards the field before an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Broncos fullback Andy Janovich (32) takes the field prior to an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Monday, Sept. 11, 2017, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Broncos Andy Janovich (32) during first quarter action against the Kansas City Chiefs in the NFL game at Sports Authority Field in Denver, Colo. November 27, 2016. (Eric Bakke via AP)
Denver Broncos fullback Andy Janovich (32) scores a touchdown as New York Jets inside linebacker Demario Davis (56) defends during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017, in Denver. (AP Photo/Joe Mahoney)
Nebraska fullback Andy Janovich (35) during the first half of the Foster Farms Bowl NCAA college football game against UCLA Saturday, Dec. 26, 2015, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Denver Broncos running back Andy Janovich (32) greets teammates during player introductions before an NFL preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday, August 27, 2016, in Denver, Co. The Broncos won the game, 17-9. (Greg Trott via AP)
Denver Broncos fullback Andy Janovich (32) runs onto the field during player introductions prior to an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 19, 2017, in Denver. The Bengals defeated the Broncos, 20-17. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Nebraska fullback Andy Janovich (35) runs with the ball during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Southern Miss in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015. Nebraska won 36-28. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
Denver Broncos fullback Andy Janovich (32) during an NFL regular season football game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017 in Carson, Calif. (Ric Tapia via AP)
Nebraska fullback Andy Janovich (35) is tackled by Illinois safety James Crawford (5) during the second quarter of an NCAA football game Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015, at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Bradley Leeb)
Nebraska running back Andy Janovich runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Nebraska fullback Andy Janovich (35) runs for a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Wisconsin in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015. Wisconsin won 23-21. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
Denver Broncos fullback Andy Janovich (32) runs the ball for a touchdown during the 2016 NFL Kickoff football game against the Carolina Panthers on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016 in Denver. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Nebraska running back Andy Janovich runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Friday, Feb. 26, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Denver Broncos fullback Andy Janovich (32) during an NFL regular season football game against the Oakland Raiders on Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017 in Oakland, Calif. The Raiders won, 21-14. (Ric Tapia via AP)
Denver Broncos rookie fullback Andy Janovich during the team's NFL rookie camp football practice Saturday, May 7, 2016, in the team's headquarters in Englewood, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Nebraska fullback Andy Janovich makes a reception during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Iowa, Friday, Nov. 23, 2012, in Iowa City, Iowa. Nebraska won 13-7. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Nebraska running back Andy Janovich runs the 40-yard dash during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, Feb. 26, 2016 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
3) Janovich is one of the rare players who has experience playing fullback at every level. He was a linebacker and fullback at Gretna High School in Nebraska before joining the University of Nebraska as a walk-on to eventually do the same. He rarely touched the ball during his first three seasons before taking on a bigger role in the offense as a senior. He earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors after rushing 42 times for 265 yards and three touchdowns while catching two passes for 58 yards, including a 53-yarder.
4) Janovich had a scholarship offer to the University of Nebraska-Kearney but opted to enroll as a walk-on at Nebraska when the opportunity presented itself. He fulfilled a lifelong dream by doing so and earned a scholarship by his sophomore season. He said he dreamed of playing football at Nebraska "as soon as you know what football is." His uncle, Jerry Murtaugh, was an All-American linebacker at Nebraska in the 70s. "I wanted to play for Nebraska and I wanted to be like my Uncle Jerry," Janovich said.
5) Janovich takes his weightlifting and conditioning seriously. On top of earning the Tom Novak Award, which goes to the Nebraska senior who "best exemplifies courage and determination despite all odds," Janovich was named the team's lifter of the year in 2015. Though most gyms around the country are closed because of the COVID-19 outbreak, Janovich said he'll be back at his parents' house using his father's weight set -- the same one he used as a child -- to stay in shape. His old high school field is just a mile down the road, too. "It's going to be interesting to see how that all works out," Janovich said.
