Cleveland Browns draft profile: Derrick Henry

So the Browns should race to the podium to select Henry as soon as they are on the clock? Well, not so fast.

The reality is that running backs – no matter how good they may be – are no longer considered high draft choices in the NFL. And for a team like the Browns, who have more pressing needs than running back, using a first-round pick on Henry – even if they move down – may be too much of a luxury.

“He is Eddie George. That body can give and take punishment. Holy cow, is he physical.” – NFL scout

There is also the question of Henry’s usage at Alabama. He almost doubled his career total of carries in 2015, finishing with a ridiculous 395 rushes. And those weren’t easy carries as they came against SEC defenses during the regular season, and then against Michigan State and Clemson in the post-season. That’s some tough work right there.

Henry isn’t much of a threat in the passing game, or at least he wasn’t at Alabama, finishing with just 17 receptions in three years. While the Browns have Johnson as their pass-catching back, if it turns out that Henry isn’t much of a pass catcher that could limit how much he can be on the field in the NFL.

He may also struggle with vision when it comes to finding the hold, something that Browns fans are far too familiar with after watching former Cleveland running back Trent Richardson for a little more than a year.

There is absolutely no way the Browns should consider Henry or any other running back at No. 2. But if they move back in the first round or, better yet, Henry is sitting there at the top of the second round, then he is a player that the team could be in discussion to don the Orange and Brown.