Team need: Running back
Posted April 22nd, 2008 by Dan
This week, I'm going to preview the position needs for the Browns in the upcoming NFL Draft. The following is the second part of a very special bland five-part series. Each position will be given a draft likelihood — strong, average and low.
Likelihood: Low
What's there: Everyone knows how many miles are on the tires of starter Jamal Lewis. He hasn't bought a new car in a year! Ha! Take that sports cliche! Sorry. Anyway, it's been hinted that Lewis could retire after his current contract runs out. If he does, that leaves the Browns with Jerome Harrison and Jason Wright. Neither is clearly a starter.
Position strength in draft: With a bevy of early entrants in the draft this year, a lot of good running backs will be pushed into the second day of the draft. This year would be as good of a year as any to take a quality developmental player.
Who to target: Cory Boyd (South Carolina), Steve Slaton (West Virginia), Chauncey Washington (USC), BenJarvus Green-Ellis (Ole Miss), Ryan Torain (Arizona State)
Final thoughts: The Browns have brought Boyd and Slaton in for workouts, but not the other three. As it has been mentioned on this blog previously, the team already has a Slaton-like player in Harrison. With the assumption that Cleveland would look for a running back in the fifth or sixth round, that likely means Slaton won't be there regardless. Boyd may not, either.
Boyd, Washington, Green-Ellis and Torain all possess good strength when they run the ball, which is necessary to make it in the AFC North. Although he looked good as a senior, Washington has a huge list of injuries, which may scare the Browns off.
Both Green-Ellis and Torain are both unspectacular, but have solid quickness and can move between the tackles.
The pick: Most draftniks, seem to think the Browns are going to draft a running back this year. I don't know if that will be the case. If they do, hopefully it will be either Green-Ellis or Torain in the sixth round.
For the sake of being official about it, I'll say the Browns go with Green-Ellis.
April 23rd, 2008 at 11:31 am
Say NO to Slaton.
April 23rd, 2008 at 3:20 pm
Yeah, no more scat backs… the Browns could use a younger version of Jamal, a banger between the tackles. It would be awesome if that kid from Oregon slipped to the 4th round because of his injury. James Stewart I think his name is? Wow, the guy's a stud.
April 23rd, 2008 at 3:43 pm
Jonathan Stewart. James Stewart was the guy who stunk it up for the Lions a few years ago.
Sadly, I doubt Jonathan Stewart falls past the first few picks of the second round, if that. I like him a lot.
April 25th, 2008 at 12:13 pm
James Stewart was also a favorite of Chris Palmer. Palmer banked his whole second season on getting Stewart to be their feature back in free agency before the 2000 season, and the rest is history.
I still think Matt Forte is going to drop to the fourth, and I would love for him to be there. He's a talent.
I wouldn't love it, but if Ray Rice was there I'd consider him too.