Dawg Pound Daily
FanSided

Cleveland Browns: 2016 mock draft version 3.0

By Eric Szczepinski

Sep 25, 2014; Tempe, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins linebacker Myles Jack (30) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium. UCLA defeated Arizona State 62-27. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 25, 2014; Tempe, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins linebacker Myles Jack (30) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium. UCLA defeated Arizona State 62-27. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 7
Next
Oct 3, 2015; Bloomington, IN, USA; Indiana Hoosiers running back Jordan Howard (8) looks to run by Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Raekwon McMillan (5) in the first half of their game at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kryger-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 3, 2015; Bloomington, IN, USA; Indiana Hoosiers running back Jordan Howard (8) looks to run by Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Raekwon McMillan (5) in the first half of their game at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kryger-USA TODAY Sports /

Round 3 (Pick No. 65): Jordan Howard, Running Back, Indiana

Running back isn’t the most glaring need on the roster but could use an upgrade. Although the team has selected a running back in the third round in both 2014 and 2015 the team lacks a bell cow back. The current tandem of Isaiah Crowell and Duke Johnson was serviceable in 2015 but didn’t produce enough to exclude an upgrade.

In Hue Jackson’s offense he will look for a back to create a similar tandem to Jeremy Hill and Giovanni Bernard. Jordan Howard fits the Hill mold, as he is a big psychical back at 230 pounds. Howard produced highly at the college level as in every game he was active he rushed for over 100 yards.

Howard has exceptional vision that allows him to quickly reach the second level of defenses. Howard pays with a psychical, punishing run style that fits the mold Jackson is searching for. Howard finishes runs and absorbs contact. The combination of his vision and power give him the traits to become the backbone of a teams rushing attack.

The knock on Howard is if he can consistently remain healthy at the NFL level and learn to play with a lower pad level to avoid punishing hits. However, Howard checks a lot of boxes when it comes to becoming an instant starter and bell cow running back. With the supplement of Duke Johnson, Hue Jackson would have his new version of Hill and Bernard.

Next: Round 4

Home/Browns Draft