NFL Draft: With Hunt likely Gone, Browns Options For RB

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CLEVELAND – Former Browns running back Kareem Hunt was signed a few years ago and it seemed like a temporary move for Hunt since there was little chance of keeping him around long-term with the contracts of Nick Chubb, DeShaun Watson, Denzel Ward, and others taking up most of the cap space. Those contracts along with the deal that former Vikings Defensive Tackle Dalvin Tomlinson signed, pointed to Kareem Hunt’s days in Cleveland coming to a swift end. Now that Hunt is looking for his next team, the Browns can focus on drafting another running back to either take his place or add depth to the position.

Most likely option: Kendre Miller- Texas Christian University

The Browns won’t rush into selecting a running back. It’s not the biggest need and there are several good options in round three and later that the team can look at. With pick 104 in the third round, the Browns will likely draft Miller out of TCU. Miller looks the like the perfect fit for the Browns. If anyone in this draft is likely to get 1,000 yards per season and give the Browns that one-two punch the team is looking for, Miller is the obvious choice. We know the Horned Frogs’ offense played out of this world. While the attention was primarily on receiver Quentin Johnson, Miller took the pressure off of Quarterback Max Duggan. With all the defenses looking to continue pressuring Watson, the Browns need depth at running back and also for the sake of allowing Chubb to get rest at key points during games. The last thing the Browns want to do is overuse Chubb. Hunt didn’t always seem like the same running back last year so letting him walk was the right call.

The Browns have to look at other options and move on. Miller’s speed and evasiveness are just what they envisioned from Hunt anyway. It’s wise to have a younger running back who presents the defense with the same challenge. Miller has the lightning speed, agility, and ability to break tackles that the Browns need. Adding years to Chubb’s career should still be a priority for Berry in this draft.

Other options:

Kenny McIntosh- Georgia

Chubb might tell General Manager Andrew Berry that he recommends selecting another Georgia Bulldog. McIntosh would fit the Browns offense as he’s a fast, dominant downhill running back with some evasiveness as well. McIntosh was one of the biggest reasons the Bulldogs defeated the Ohio State Buckeyes and then won the National Championship against TCU.

McIntosh looks like a burly running back who’s just unfair to try to tackle. He consistently showed the ability to fight for yards and kept running with defensive players desperately trying to take him down to the grass. There were times when he carried defenders on his back similar to what legendary running back Jamal Lewis did back in his day. Browns fans will have those flashbacks if the team selects McIntosh.

Mohamed Ibrahim- Minnesota Golden Gophers

When the Golden Gophers passing struggled, it was Ibrahim that got things going. He was a fifth-year senior at Minnesota and was one of the nation’s top running backs for three of the five years. He rushed for over 1,000 yards in three seasons. He looks like a potential late-round steal should the Browns decide to wait to get depth at the running back position. He’s not as fast as Miller and McIntosh but he looks like a workout warrior who’s the perfect fit for a power run scheme. He has a monstrous frame that defensive players find challenging to deal with. He’s not the most elusive running back but he has the ball-carrying vision and ability to break through multiple tackles.