Cleveland Browns: Running backs rooms boasts stars, longshots
By Caleb Baum
Dontrell Hilliard
After the trade of Duke Johnson, Dontrell Hilliard needs to be everything that John Dorsey and Freddie Kitchens believe he can be. This is a career defining opportunity for Hilliard.
Last season, Hilliard had no carries but had 9 receptions for 105 yards. Hilliard also provided help in the return game. He had 11 returns for 264 yards.
Hilliard attended Tulane where he rushed for 2,948 yards and 30 TDs. He also had 70 receptions for 740 yards and 4 TDs. Nine different times he ran for more than 100 yards in a game and had a career high of 189 yards his senior season against East Carolina.
Hilliard has flashed the ability to be a role player who can make big plays. He has really good size for a running back (6’, 205lb) and has pretty good speed. However, he has never had to take the week in, week out punishment of a running back in major college football and has never even taken a carry in the league.
Does any of that really matter? No.
Maybe Hilliard will follow the path of Hunt. Small college player who flashed and breaks out when give the opportunity. Maybe he won’t. All we know is, until Hunt gets back, Chubb is going to get a heavy workload unless Hillard can prove himself.