Cleveland Browns should look into trading for Mark Ingram

By Ryan Rosko | May 8, 2017

Aug 26, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram (22) runs against Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Stephon Tuitt (91) in the second quarter of the game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports /

Trading for a veteran a veteran running back should benefit the Cleveland Browns greatly.

Now, nothing has linked the Cleveland Browns in a possible trade for veteran help following the 2017 NFL Draft. Given how young they are though, there needs to be some experienced players on the roster.

One player that Cleveland should look into acquiring is New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram. One quick call to the Big Easy or to NE Ohio can change everything in an instant.

Besides, the Browns need a running back long-term. CSN Philly threw out the idea of the Philadelphia Eagles sending their center Jason Kelce to the Saints in a trade package where the Eagles landed Ingram.

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Cleveland does have Isaiah Crowell as their starter, but he has yet to sign his free agent tender for one season. By now he should have signed it, so what gives? I wish I could tell you.

Meanwhile, New Orleans recently signed former Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson and drafted University of Tennessee running back Alvin Kamara.

If the Eagles could offer a deal headlined by Kelce for Ingram, why couldn’t the Browns? The reason is because they like their draft capital. Otherwise, we would have probably seen them trade into the top 10 to select Texas Tech quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

Since Crowell is not signed, how could Cleveland play that situation out? The waiting game seems like it will be the most logical route. However, I suggest two outside the box scenarios that would help the Browns’ running game in 2017 and beyond.

The first is to get Crowell to sign his tender. If he really wanted to be in Cleveland, Crowell would have signed the contract by now. Even if (when ) he does, 2017 could really be his last season with the team. After he gets the tender signed, allow his agent to discuss a long-term deal with the Saints.

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If negotiations are agreed upon, offer Crowell and offensive lineman Cameron Erving for Ingram.

Don’t like that proposal? That’s fine. Here is another.

Offer Erving or another lineman like right tackle Shon Coleman and a fifth or so round pick to the Saints for Ingram. New Orleans’ offensive line has enough flexibility to move someone over to center for the injured Max Unger. As a result, Coleman could then compete for a spot elsewhere along the line.

According to Spotrac, Ingram is under contract for two more seasons.

Just look at how improved Cleveland’s offensive is! They are going to be running the ball early and often this fall.

Fellow back Duke Johnson is a decent change of pace player, but he is really best suited to play in space. Instead, at least for 2017, combine Ingram and Crowell in the running game before possibly allowing Crowell to leave following the season.

Other trade proposals could be more entertaining to New Orleans, but from a speculative standpoint, those two options could be the best Cleveland could do.

Denver 1340AM radio host, Benjamin Allbright dismissed the idea that Ingram would be moved and their stance on Unger.

Should the be the case, the likelihood of Ingram being considered in a deal for Crowell and/or Erving/Coleman etc., is not good. On the other hand, you never know! Maybe the Saints really liked Erving during his draft process.

As great as it would be to have more security in the running game, the reality is that nothing long-term will probably be set until next offseason. I know that is unfortunate.

According to football reference.com, Ingram is 27 years old and has rushed for 4,238 yards and 32 touchdowns on 953 attempts in six seasons. Per the same website, Crowell is 24 years old, and has accumulated 2,265 yards and 19 touchdowns on 531 attempts in three seasons.

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However, hopefully something pops up and surprises us all and Cleveland actually makes a move for Ingram or someone else. At the end of the day, as of this moment, enjoy Crowell while you can because in 2018, I see him in a different uniform.

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