I'm going to jump ahead to running backs, actually, because looking at Hue's history in Cincinnati means that we likely will rely on our running game. You know, like we wanted to in 2015. It also means we need to upgrade our existing options. Isiah Crowell took a noticeable step backwards in 2015 after a solid 2014 season. Terrance West was traded after a year and has since been cut by multiple teams. Duke Johnson looks to be a good change-of-pace guy, but looks nothing like an every-down back or even a capable runner (3.6 YPC). Honestly, the struggles of the offensive line may have been more on the skill (or lack thereof) of the running backs. My Top 5: 1. Ezekiel Elliott (R1) 2. Derrick Henry (R1) 3. Kenneth Dixon (R2) 4. Devontae Booker (R3-R4) 5. Paul Perkins (R4-R5)
Ezekiel Elliott - Ohio State, Junior 6'0" 225 pounds, 20 years old 2015 Stats: 289 carries, 1,821 yards (6.3 YPC), 23 TDs General Consensus: the best overall back in the class. My Evaluation: Elliott is a very balanced runner, showing tremendous vision and balance, as well as good speed and hands. He's about as well-rounded a running back prospect as we've seen in a while. My biggest complaint is that he doesn't break a ton of tackles when it's square-up contact (arm tackles, not withstanding). However, he's generally fast enough or shifty enough to evade direct hits. Doesn't fumble. Played with a tremendous o-line at Ohio State and the adjustment to the NFL game may be rocky at first. Mixed reactions in general, but I loved the passion he showed after the Michigan State loss. I don't usually love calling out coaches, but everyone was thinking it. My Comparison: LeSean McCoy. Not as gifted a receiver as McCoy, but both exhibit similar traits: good speed, vision, shiftiness, as well as decisiveness with the football. Elliott is probably better balanced overall than McCoy is. Like McCoy, Elliott is always a threat to score. Bottom Line: a luxury we can't afford.
I will say this, regarding the position/draft in general: If you want a runningback, next year is your year. Holy balls. I haven't done any study on the position this year, yet, so I don't know which guys apart from the top two or three a team would be looking at as a premier (see: not part-time, Duke Johnson-type guy) rusher.
Derrick Henry - Alabama, Junior 6'3" 245 pounds, 21 years old 2015 Stats: 395 carries, 2,219 yards (5.6 YPC), 28 TDs [Heisman Winner] General Consensus: downhill runner with frightening size. Winner of the 2015 Heisman award for very good reasons. My Evaluation: ugh... I hate myself for liking Derrick Henry. I swore after Trent Richardson that Alabama 'backs were dead to me. Henry is a freight train of a running back, moving and hitting as big as he looks. A major bell cow back for the National Champions, racking up over 400 touches his junior year. Terrific fit in a power blocking scheme where he can built up some momentum before hitting the second level. The number of carries is concerning, as is the history of Alabama running backs in the NFL (or out of it). Like past running backs, will he struggle at the next level with smaller holes to run through? My Comparison: Brandon Jacobs. Both have tremendous size, were downhill runners, and could punish punish tacklers. No major injuries for him, but he's going to take a lot of abuse and like Jacobs, could miss a game or two per season dealing with nagging injuries. Bottom Line: Part of my says run because of Trent Richardson, but past mistakes do not necessarily mean we're doomed to repeat them. The Browns lack a power runner in the backfield.
They'll be at the top of the list with Chubb, out of Georgia, presuming he's healthy. But there are a ton more who would easily be second round picks this year. Guys who can be very impactful at the next level. I mean, even look at the National Championship game - Gallman, for Clemson, has some get-up. He's almost certainly coming out next year. Royce Freeman (ORE), Dalvin Cook (FSU), Alex Collins (ARK), Samaje Perine (OK)... that's just a couple. Of the top 10 rushers in the country to end the season, six are sophomores. And that's not counting the guys who are going to get more opportunities next year/were injured this year/etc. Of course, that's counting on each of them being the same players, but the talent at RB next year looks outstanding.
I am okay with waiting on a running back. I do think the Browns will look to add at least one more body in either free agency or the draft, but it won't need to be a feature guy, per se. Hue's past teams have definitely valued running the football and having a running back who can both move the pile and catch passes is important to him. He also seems to value big backs (Michael Bush, Jeremy Hill), which we lack on our squad. Maybe they take a flier on Devon Johnson (6'1" 243 pounds) in a Day 3 selection.
Greetings Sam, When it comes to RB, I think we have a good enough stable to deal with. We'll obviously go QB in round 1, and I would think WR in round 2. Right? I mean, we need to address receiver sooner or later Was the drop in OL and RB play last season due to the move from a scheme that has proven to make pedestrian runners look above average? I think so. Of course, losing our OL coach when we did was unfortunate. I don't see us sniffing around the barnyard for a running back until round 3 at the earliest. We have a ton of question marks at a ton of positions even if we had that myth called consistency.
You might be right SS, but that comparison is a bit premature....Did you remember the numbers Faulk put up at San Diego St? I like Cook a lot, but not over Ez E...There is nothing Elliott can't do well. If anybody gets the Faulk comparison, its Ezekiel
Cook and Faulk are 4.3 type of guys that can cut on a dime....I dont see that w Elliott...Im thinking more like 4.5....tell me what u think...probably 75% w hammy after USF game https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrXPUL5iR1w
SAS, I gotta disagree with the final word on Elliott if you are talking beyond our first pick. He is one of the best players in the country..If he is still on the board at #32, we should take him. The guy is a true difference maker and should be taken in the top 15 overall IMO....I wouldn't look at it as a "luxury we can't afford" if he fell to us in the second round. Regardless of team depth, taking the best player off the board has to be a good move...
I know it's easier said than done but it sure would be nice to see Cleveland do a little less drafting for need, and a lot more drafting the best football players regardless of position....
...I agree, as long as they fit the scheme...A roster full of guys that fit different schemes won't advance this team much either. In the case of Zeke Elliot...He fits just about anything a team will do. He is the type of player to BUILD a running game around. That said, not every "BPA" would fit this team, especially if they have off field red flags as well.
@DvlDawg I think we're almost stocked in the stable, as you put it. One thing I think we've seen from Hue is adding a "big back" to the mix and we currently lack that. I agree that we won't be taking a running back early on (please, please, please resist the urge to take Derrick Henry at No. 32, Browns!) but I do think we'll have to add something -- either through free agency (which looks like slim pickings) or the Draft. I also have my doubts about both Crowell and Johnson, but I'm willing to let a new offensive philosophy (WCO) and new coaches make that determination before we rush out to draft our next guy.
@top dawg If Elliott makes it to No. 32, I would sprint the card to the podium. For me, he's a Top 10 talent easily and even with the devaluation of the position at the NFL level, I still think he'll end up going in the Top 15 picks.
Jordan Howard - Indiana, Junior 6'1" 225 pounds (230 per Indiana), 21 years old 2015 Stats: 196 attempts, 1,213 yards (6.2 YPC), 9 TDs General Consensus: a mixed bag. I've seen projections from late R2 to early R5. My Evaluation: Howard was not initially on my radar, but I've re-focused my approach on running backs who could realistically be in play for us. Looking over the current roster, and knowing what Hue Jackson likes to roll with, we're lacking a big back presence. I think Howard fits the bill and would cost us a lot less than a Derrick Henry. A transfer from UAB, he had a terrific game against Michigan (top 5 defense) this year, hanging 238 yards on them. While he's a big back who's not afraid of contact, he shows very good acceleration and an unexpected extra gear when he hits the second level, frequently running away from would-be tacklers. My Comparison: he looks a bit like T.J. Yeldon. My trusty website only has one film, so it's been mostly highlights where's they're typically only showing the "big plays". However, on the big plays, he looks special. Bottom Line: minor nagging injuries that would follow a feature back of his size and punishing running style are expected, and could push him into R3-R4 range. I think this guy would be a terrific pick-up. Could be our next running back to pair with Duke Johnson Jr.
