Cleveland Browns 2017 mock draft: Week 16 edition
Round 3 Pick 1: D’onta Foreman, Running Back, Texas
Isaiah Crowell has had solid production when given the opportunity this season, averaging a career-high 4.6 yards per carry. Crowell had a lot of early season success in Hue Jackson’s run scheme. However, Jackson has abandoned the run all season in the second half of games, affecting Crowell’s production.
Crowell has yet to record a game this season with over 20 carries. Jackson has not committed to feeding Crowell and this is evident by his lack of carries. Crowell has limited vision as a ball carrier and often takes unnecessary stutter steps in the backfield before hitting the hole. He has the ability to produce in the right circumstances, but isn’t right now and will never be an elite option at the position in Cleveland.
The selection of Foreman will give the Browns offense a true every-down threat. In a very deep and talented running back class that features Leonard Fournette, Christian McCaffrey and Dalvin Cook, Foreman could very well be available in the bottom half of the second round or the top of the third round. Foreman proved to have elite college production leading the nation in rushing with 2,208 yards.
He also proved to be one of the most durable backs in the country leading the nation in carries with a whooping 323 carries. Foreman is a big physical back built for the AFC North. Foreman is listed at 6-foot-1, 249 pounds per Texas’ measurements.
In my view from watching his tape this past season, Foreman is a tough runner who can carry the running load for an NFL team. At his size he has displayed quickness and explosion when reaching the second level of defenses. With the addition of Foreman, the Browns offense will have an aggressive runner capable of running through the physical AFC North defenses as well as adding a touchdown machine in the red zone.
Foreman’s style of play compares similarly to Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart. Finding a comparison for Foreman is tricky because he is truly one of a kind when it comes to combining his size with quickness. Stewart excels in the power run game using his combination of strength, quickness and vision to excel in the Panthers’ power run sets.
Foreman only had nine catches at Texas and doesn’t look to be a receiving threat out of the backfield but that’s where current Browns running back Duke Johnson can be utilized. Johnson is a complete 360 of what Foreman brings to the table and with his ability to make plays in space and out of the backfield.
Drafting Foreman will give the Browns offense the perfect complement of backs, similar to what Hue Jackson had in Cincinnati with Jeremy Hill and Giovanni Bernard.