2016 Cleveland Browns roster analysis: The running backs

Isaiah Crowell

Age: 24

Experience: 3 years 

Contract Status: Restricted Free Agent 

In his third season out of Alabama State, Crowell posted career highs in rushing attempts, rushing yards and touchdowns. His 4.8 yards per attempt ranked him eighth amongst NFL running backs. He led a Browns rushing attack that ranked second in the league in yards per attempt, averaging 4.9. As a team the Browns averaged 107 yards a game on the ground and a large part of the run game’s success falls on Crowell.

However, despite having a solid season to lead the Browns backfield, the utilization of the running back was baffling at times. Not once in 2016 did Crowell receive over 20 carries in a game. Head coach and play caller Hue Jackson often abandoned the run in the second half of games. Yes, the Browns often trailed in games but Crowell was producing solid numbers despite receiving less volume than other NFL backs.

The Browns as a team only had 350 rushing attempts which was tied for fewest in the entire league. He finished with 952 rushing yards in the season. But there were five games this season in which he failed to get over 10 carries. If the Browns stuck to the run more and fed Crowell, he would have easily surpassed the 1,000 yard mark, a feat only 12 running backs accomplished this year.

Not giving him the ball enough is an issue  Jackson and his offensive staff will have to address in 2017. But when given the rock, Crowell rebounded from a sub par 2015 season and proved he is capable of being a reliable starting running back. In Hue Jackson’s run scheme, Crowell raised his averaged from 3.8 yards per attempt to 4.8. It was evident Jackson brought forward the strengths of his running backs to make them successful.

Crowell is limited in the fact that on film at times it looks like he misses open holes and often stutter steps behind the line of scrimmage. He lacks the ability to create his own yards and improvise. But what makes him successful is that he has a quick burst when hitting the hole, getting him into the next level of the defense. Another positive about his run style is that he is always fighting for extra yards and gains tough yards after contact. Additionally, he has great ball security as he has only fumbled twice in the last two seasons.

Crowell is a free agent this offseason and it would be wise for the Browns to re-sign their young running back. Crowell is a building block for the offense and with so many other needs the Browns must make it a priority to retain their own playmakers.

  2016 Stats: 

  Att    Yds   Y/A   TD  

198    952   4.8     7 

2017 Outlook:

Crowell had a bounceback season in Hue Jackson’s offensive scheme. The third-year back displayed bursts and toughness to produce a solid season totaling over 1,000 combined yards rushing and receiving. The Browns must re-sign him this offseason as he gives the team a solid and reliable starting option. Coach Jackson must rely on his running back to carry a larger portion of the offensive workload in 2017 as the team still seeks answers at the quarterback position.