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5 do-overs of the Johnny Manziel selection in 2014

By Steven Kubitza

Dec 24, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) passes the ball against the San Diego Chargers during overtime at O.co Coliseum. The Oakland Raiders defeated the San Diego Chargers 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 24, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) passes the ball against the San Diego Chargers during overtime at O.co Coliseum. The Oakland Raiders defeated the San Diego Chargers 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 9, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals running back Jeremy Hill (32) celebrates scoring a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Wild Card playoff football game at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals running back Jeremy Hill (32) celebrates scoring a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Wild Card playoff football game at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /

After the disaster Trent Richardson turned out to be, fans may have freaked out if the Browns selected a running back in the first round in 2014. But the Browns would not have been faulted for drafting Jeremy Hill with the 22nd pick.

The initial backlash may have been strong from fans, but once he got on the field the hesitations would have faded away. Even if they took Hill with the 22nd pick, Derek Carr was still on the board when the Browns had the 35th pick and took Joel Bitonio.

Hill ran for over 1,300 yards and had 16 touchdowns in 2013 at LSU, and translated that into instant success in the NFL. He ran for 1,124 yards and nine touchdowns in 2014. In 2015 he only ran for 794 yards, but had 11 touchdowns. The Browns ran for five touchdowns all season.

Hill would have easily been the Browns’ first option in the running game. Drafting him also would have prevented the selection of Terrance West, who did not even make it two full seasons in Cleveland, which seems to be a trend for players and coaches alike.

The running game now consists of Isaiah Crowell and Duke Johnson, who is more of a receiving back than a hard-nosed runner. This means the team will likely be drafting another running back in this year’s draft. There is also the potential of signing a back in free agency, which may actually be a real possibility now that the Browns hired a coach like Hue Jackson. After working with Hill in Cincinnati, Jackson should be able to recognize talent at the running back position, which is something that has been missing from this franchise for a long time.

Next: Allen Robinson

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