We’re continuing with the preseason evaluation of the Cleveland Browns roster with the ball carriers.
With camp right around the corner, we’re taking time to break down each position on the Cleveland Browns positions. We’ve already covered the receivers and tight ends, and now we’re going to be covering the ball carriers, then in other posts, we’ll talk about the quarterbacks and then the offensive linemen. After that, we’ll handle the defense.
We’re referring to the running backs and fullbacks as the catch-all term “ball carrier” as I feel it’s more accurate to the skillset and includes both positions. We’re not referring to them as just “backs” as that would seemingly include the quarterbacks, so the term “ball carrier” seemingly removes the quarterbacks from the positional inclusion.
Now, the Browns may have the best backfield in the game, but now also have one of the worst schemes for them to succeed. The Browns are not going to run the ball nearly as much in 2022 as they did in 2021. We know this because they got rid of Pro Bowl talents Andy Janovich, Austin Hooper, and J.C. Tretter. They’ve also brought in more receivers and are re-tooling their scheme to be a pass-first team.
Due to all of this, the team is clearly repositioning itself for a pass-happy offense, which means that this running back corp may only be together for one more season as it transitions into a new era. They’ll still get reps, and they’ll still do their thing, sure, but if you’re expecting the squad to be in the Top 5 this year in total rushing yards, I would recommend not putting money down on that.
They’ll still be effective, just don’t expect the same volume.
Each player will get a letter grade and here is how they break down;
- F – expected to be out of the league before the end of his rookie contract
- D – practice squad guy
- C – could get minutes as a backup
- B – starter
- A – among the league’s best
Ranking and Grading the ball carriers
Honorable Mention
I think Demetric Felton will be playing at receiver this year, but he’s still listed as a running back so we’ll include him as an Honorable Mention for right now. John Kelly is a solid hand but he’s not on the level of the three top dogs, and Jerome Fords will be given priority due to his rookie status. If he’s still around after camp, he’ll be on the practice squad.
5. Jerome Ford (R)
The Browns must like Jerome Ford as a prospect because they’re going to be carrying a fourth running back on their roster just to keep him from being picked up by someone else. Ford isn’t likely to get many, if any reps, so it’s hard to say he’ll improve his grade this year. Maybe next year if the Browns move on from the top guys right ahead of him on the depth chart but for sure not this year.
Grade: C-
4. Johnny Stanton
As a fullback in 2020 or 2021, I would have Johnny Stanton’s grade a bit higher, but I just don’t see the Browns using him that much, which is a shame, as Stanton is a playmaker ready to go. He can play three different positions on offense but Kevin Stefanski has proven time and time again that he isn’t that creative to utilize a guy like Stanton. Maybe Stanton would have a better season if he had a New Orleans-type offense to play in, one that adapts to players, but in Cleveland, he’ll play maybe 18% of the offensive seasonal reps; and that’s if Stefanski doesn’t abandon the position outright.
Grade: C+
3. D’Ernest Johnson
I think the Browns can get as much out of D’Ernest Johnson as they could from Kareem Hunt, the reason why Johnson is lower than Hunt is simply because Hunt has had a thousand-yard season to his name once before, while Johnson hasn’t. There’s an expectation that Hunt has that Johnson doesn’t have yet. The Browns could do fine with Johnson as the feature runner if it came to that.
Grade: B-
2. Kareem Hunt
I don’t think Kareem Hunt was ever a Top 10 running back, and the people who do are only basing it off of one year of production. It’s very likely that his big year was more a fluke than anything else. His running style is abrasive, which is good, but he stops his feet when he makes contact and rips his hips up and through to try and break tackles. It doesn’t work that often. He also is supposedly a great receiver out of the backfield but he’s not putting up the highlight real plays that would support that theory. We also saw Felton replace Hunt on a few occasions where Hunt would have been the more obvious choice.
Grade: B
1. Nick Chubb
I don’t like the “who’s the best” argument because more than likely there’s a handful of guys who are the best; or are at the elite level. I think there are a few guys in the NFL who, if healthy, are every bit of dangerous as Chubb. That said, I don’t think there’s anyone better.
Grade: A+
Positional Grade and Evaluation
This could be the last year you see Nick Chubb, Kareem Hunt, and D’Ernest Johnson on the same team. I would wager that two of those names are gone after this year, and the most obvious names are Hunt and Johnson.
And while I’m not advocating it, nor would I support the move, I wouldn’t be surprised if Chubb gets moved in 2023. The Browns could shave nearly $11 million off the cap by trading him after June 1 of next year. If the Browns find themselves in cap hell, it’s not impossible to ponder. Especially with the devaluing of running backs in the NFL as a whole, and the team’s new focus on receivers and passing.
That said, that’s next year’s concern. This year, this is the best runningback group in the NFL. They took a mid-round pick in the draft and he probably won’t play outside of special teams as a rookie. That’s how deep this team is. A fifth-round pick isn’t expected to get carries.
The Browns have a lot to lean on this year. If they end up being without their starting quarterback for a year or two, they can still compete with this crop of talent. Even if I don’t think Hunt is anywhere close to Chubb as a talent (and he isn’t), Hunt can still start for at least 15 NFL teams.
Chubb could start for 32, however.
That said, Hunt is arguably the best “second back” in the NFL. I don’t think there’s a better alternative on a team than Hunt. There just happens to be a significant drop-off between Chubb and Hunt. That’s usually the case for every NFL team, so it’s not some shock to say that but some fans really think Hunt is as good as Chubb. That’s a lie.
This team has talent, depth, and a history of getting the most out of the position.
Grade: A+