Cleveland Browns: There’s many options to potentially replace Isaiah Crowell

Dec 24, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Isaiah Crowell (34) rushes for a touchdown during the first quarter against the San Diego Chargers at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 24, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Isaiah Crowell (34) rushes for a touchdown during the first quarter against the San Diego Chargers at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Cleveland Browns have another year with running back Isaiah Crowell under contract, but then what?

Isaiah Crowell has signed his tender this offseason to return to the Cleveland Browns, but he could leave next offseason. Let’s say Cleveland does re-sign him to a long-term deal next offseason. That is great and all, but teams need two running backs now.

So, even if Crowell gets an extension next offseason, the Browns will still need another back. Worst case scenario is after this season, Crowell leaves Cleveland. Regardless the answer for the future at running back needs to be addressed.

If Cleveland were to go in-house to replace Crowell or at least make sure a legitimate compliment is in place to him, then they could already have their guy. No, it is not fellow back Duke Johnson.

The former Hurricane has a limited skill set and cannot be viewed as a reliable force in the running game.

Instead, that player could be Darius Jackson. I have seen a lot of love for the former Eastern Michigan running back lately. Jackson was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the sixth round of the 2016 NFL Draft.

However, there is a problem: Jackson has yet to have a rushing attempt in the NFL! I am all for optimism and the potential of a player, but come on.

Working with head coach Hue Jackson will certainly help, but until Jackson gets enough of a workload against quality talent, declaring him a star or just an answer in general is premature.

I really like Cleveland’s seventh round pick Matt Dayes. He could fit into the equation somewhere down the line, but he has his work cut out for him. Perhaps later on, Dayes could be in this discussion. As of now, as it should be, he is not.

Cleveland had pressing needs outside of running back, which is why said position was not drafted until late. Some were not in favor of the idea of the Browns taking a running back early last month. In next year’s draft, expect that to change.

Now that most of their needs are filled, and if all (or at least the majority) works out, running back should be much higher on the priority list next offseason.

Four running backs come to mind and all of them would be via the draft. Now, assuming all declares, the Browns would have their pick to either complement one of them with Crowell or let him walk.

Those four running backs are Georgia’s Nick Chubb, Oregon’s Royce Freeman, Penn State’s Saquon Barkley, and LSU’s Derrius Guice. To add one of those four, Cleveland would have to use either a first or second round pick.

Those four, both individually and collectively are very talented and just highlights the running back draft class of 2018. If you thought the 2017 class was something, just wait till 2018’s!

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However Cleveland goes abut improving their running game next offseason, an additional face(s) is a key requirement. Who knows, Crowell could be in NE Ohio for a while, but I’d rather be safe than sorry and have plan in place focusing on one of those four collegiate running backs for this time next year.