Browns May Draft Running Back Earlier, Linebacker Later Than You Think
There are multiple reasons why the Browns could, and probably should, select a running back in this year's draft before targeting a linebacker. The Browns have a golden opportunity to prepare for life after Nick Chubb, while the linebacker class is mediocre overall. So many of the options in this class are in the same mold of players the Browns already have and like.
Chubb's current contract ends after the 2024 season, and if he isn't willing to take a significant "hometown discount", he most likely won't be retained. That's just the reality of the situation, so it would behoove Cleveland to go after a running back somewhat early in the draft. This year's running back class is loaded with players that fit what the Browns could be looking for at the position moving forward. Finding Nick Chubb's potential replacement is more urgent than some people tend to realize.
The interesting part is trying to predict the type of guy that the team is going to target. Will they go after more of a pass catching, 3rd down-type? or will they be looking for somebody in the mold of Nick Chubb?
The Browns recently came out and said that they're comfortable with and believe in Jerome Ford's ability as a pass catcher. On the surface, it appears as though they might add a more traditional, between-the-tackles runner based on this information. If this really is the case, then there is a handful of players that seem to make a lot of sense for them in rounds four or five.
Here are four players who stand out as potentially interesting prospects for Cleveland in this range:
Tank Bigsby, Auburn - 5'11", 210 Lbs.
Bigsby is a well rounded, twitched-up runningback that shows excellent burst, elusiveness, and playmaking ability. He is patient and able to read blocks well on a consistent basis. He's really good at making adjustments and knowing what to do in order to gain yardage when designed holes or lanes are closed. He has a strong build and runs with a surprising amount of power as well. Bigsby has mainly lined up and been utilized in shotgun formations while at Auburn, so he already has a lot of experience in that aspect as well. He would seamlessly fit in with Cleveland's new offensive style going forward.
Roschon Johnson, Texas - 6'0", 225 Lbs.
Johnson is a smart, powerful, and athletic back with a thick frame that runs with an attitude. He consistently shows great awareness and allows lanes or holes to form instead of trying to force something that isn't there. Once he identifies his path, he displays exceptional burst in order to explode through the hole, determined to grind out as much positive yardage as he can. He easily breaks arm tackles and always manages to fall forward when defenders are finally able to bring him down. He's also an asset as a pass-catcher out of the backfield. You can tell that he's a former quarterback when it comes to this area because it seems like he knows exactly where to be in terms of being a safety outlet for the quarterback.
Dwayne McBride, UAB - 5'10", 209 Lbs.
McBride is an old school running back that wants to run through defenders instead of around them. He runs with determination, power, and violence that allows him to constantly bounce off would-be tacklers. He has a thick lower body and displays excellent contact balance, especially when he has forward momentum. He's a classic one-cut-and-go type of back that has had incredible success in UAB's zone-heavy offense over the past 3 seasons. He hasn't been used in the passing game very much, (only 10 total targets in 2 years) but he looked natural catching the football when he did. Like Bigsby, McBride also has a lot of experience in shotgun and pistol formations.
Israel Abanikanda, Pitt - 5'10", 216 Lbs.
Abanikanda is a speedy, efficient, and dynamic ball carrier that was one of the most productive collegiate running backs in 2022. He possesses a surprising amount of speed for such a thickly built player. Once he finds the hole and accelerates through it, he's very hard to catch in the open field. Abanikanda has an excellent blend of size and speed and does a great job of keeping a low center of gravity when running. This allows him to grind out extra yardage after first contact. He's also proven to be an adequate receiver out of the backfield, as well as shown good effort as a pass blocker.
All of these guys would be excellent fits for the style of player that Kevin Stefanski could be looking for in this year's draft.
This year's linebacker class is really underwhelming in terms of what Cleveland is looking for. There are only a few players that have the true ability to play MIKE linebacker at the NFL level, and there's a good chance they'll be off the board before the Browns would take one. The rest of the position group consists of guys that are projected to be WILL linebackers at the next level. They don't have the overall physicality or ability to shed blocks that's needed to play inside, which is where Cleveland needs depth.
Andrew Berry isn't going to draft a linebacker just to draft one. If the player isn't a fit, then there's no need to try and force something.
The linebacker play should be a lot better and more consistent in 2023, mainly due to the upgraded defensive line in front of them. Cleveland is still most likely going to add one more free agent to the defensive tackle room, and Dalvin Tomlinson alone should be able to force offensive lines to double-team him quite a bit. This would give offenses one less 2nd level blocker in the run game. A linebacker core of Anthony Walker Jr, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, and Sione Takitaki will be incredibly productive with a much more legitimate defensive line in from of them.
Cleveland also currently has five or six players who appear to be "locks" in the linebacker room. There might not even be an open spot on the roster to add a player there. The team is most likely only going to keep six linebackers on the 53-man roster heading into week 1.
The only reason that the Browns might take a linebacker earlier than round six would be if somebody like Ivan Pace Jr. starts to fall. If they do decide to take a flyer on somebody, it would be someone whose best-case scenario would be to compete with Matthew Adams for the final linebacker spot on the roster for 2023.
