With a tough schedule ahead, who will the Cleveland Browns run defense have to worry most about this season? Slowing down these five running backs will be no small task.
The Cleveland Browns had their share of struggles in 2016 defending the run. The Ray Horton-led defense ranked 30th against the rushing attack, surrendering 142.7 yards per game.
With little personnel change, there isn’t much reason to bank on a dramatic reversal of fortunes in 2017. The hope is that Cleveland improves under the scheme of new defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, but the rushing defense will undoubtedly be challenged once again.
Bringing Jamie Collins back is a major bonus, as is the return of Christian Kirksey. But where the Browns really need to focus their attention on is the defensive line’s role in stopping the run.
Last season, Danny Shelton and company had major struggles setting the edge. Their lack of mobility was clear, and as a result, opposing running backs were hitting the outside and torching the Browns, especially on first down.
The solution to better run defense isn’t simple and won’t happen overnight, but the Browns can and should make strides in this area in 2017.
These five running backs will give the Browns all they can handle this season, truly testing their run defense.
5. DeMarco Murray, Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans will roll into Cleveland in Week 7 following a Monday night game against the Indianapolis Colts. While the team may be beaten and bruised, they are still sure to rely heavily on their running game anchored by DeMarco Murray.
Murray will be a challenge due to both his speed and power, a combination of skills which has allowed him to total over 1,000 yards in rushing in three career seasons, including last season in which he recorded 1,287 rushing yards.
While Tennessee’s offensive line is not the strongest when it comes to creating gaps, Murray’s ability to find running room and squeeze through holes can frustrate opponents who feel they have the advantage up front. The 29-year-old was the NFL’s leading rusher in 2014 with the Dallas Cowboys, before declining a bit in 2015 with the Eagles, and coming on strong again last season in his first year with the Titans.
Besides Murray, Tennessee will bring a strong second back to Cleveland. Derrick Henry, the standout at Alabama, is poised to make strides in his second season. Last year, he played in all 16 games and finished with 110 carries, 490 yards, and five touchdowns.
With two capable running backs opposing them, the Browns will have their hands full defensively in Week 7.
4. Zach Zenner, Detroit Lions
The Browns get to square off with the NFC North division this season, meaning that they get the benefit of taking on beatable opponents like the Bears and Vikings. But unfortunately, it also means that they get to run into one of the league’s most potent offenses in Detroit.
The Lions’ offense started 2016 on fire, thanks to quarterback Matthew Stafford and a very strong passing attack. As the season progressed, Stafford didn’t slow down, but the Lions did add another facet to their offense.
Zach Zenner was not even the starter coming into the year, but soon burst onto the scene due to his strong and intelligent running. Starting four games late in the season and Detroit’s playoff game in Seattle, Zenner totaled 334 rushing yards and four touchdowns, an average of 3.8 yards per carry.
Of course, the Browns will be spending a lot of their energy on slowing down Detroit’s passing attack, making Zenner all the more poised to have a strong showing in week 10 at Ford Field. In fact, the 26-year-old’s role in the offense is expected to expand due to his breakout stretch late in 2016.
Besides his rushing stats, Zenner can also act like a tight end, blocking the edge effectively or pass protecting when necessary. He can catch passes out of the backfield as well, evident based on his 18 receptions and 196 receiving yards last season. With solid hands and a strong frame, Zenner ought not to be overlooked by Cleveland when they head into their cross-conference matchup with the Lions.
3. Giovani Bernard, Cincinnati Bengals
The AFC North division is strong when it comes to running backs. While this may come across as a compliment to Duke Johnson and Isaiah Crowell, it certainly isn’t good news for Cleveland’s defense.
The Browns have dropped five straight games against the Cincinnati Bengals and have been outscored 149-40 in these contests. With a lopsided and downright uncompetitive rivalry like this, a lot has to have gone wrong. One of the major areas to blame for the Browns is run defense.
Both Jeremy Hill and Giovani Bernard have torched the Browns. Bernard, especially, even after a down 2016, is well in position to have another dominant performance or two against the in-state rivals.
The Bengals are a pass-first offense for the most part, but have relied heavily on their rushing attack in recent matchups with the Browns. Reasons for this could be wide-ranging, as the Bengals could be taking the ball out of Andy Dalton‘s hands more due to the large leads they always seem to accumulate.
But it would still be naive to ignore the fact that Cleveland’s defense simply hasn’t been equipped to stop Bernard or Hill, which encourages the play calling to stay on the ground more often.
How do the Browns turn it around? It’s always difficult with a two-headed rushing attack, but the Browns can slow down the Bengals running game by taking them out of their comfort zone. Emphasizing first and second down and forcing them to make predictable play calls is ultimately the way to prevent another 200+ yard afternoon on the ground. Easier said than done, but possible nonetheless.
The Browns will welcome in the Bengals for a Week 4 matchup, and will travel down to the Queen City in Week 12.
2. Melvin Gordon, Los Angeles Chargers
If 2017 goes remotely the way 2016 went, the Browns will be beaten up and worn down by the time Week 13 comes. This holds especially true for their run defense, who will without a doubt be taxed having to go up against some of the league’s best.
One of these running backs who will give the Browns all they can handle is Melvin Gordon of the Los Angeles Chargers. Many fans remember Gordon from his college days at Wisconsin, as his spectacular career as a Badger earned him an opportunity to compete at the next level. And not just compete, but compete with the best.
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Gordon had a strong rookie campaign in 2015, rushing for 641 yards. Still, he made incredible strides during his sophomore season, falling just three yards short of 1,000 on the ground and earning a Pro Bowl selection. The 24-year-old started 11 games last season and averaged just shy of four yards per carry.
Entering 2017, Gordon is the clear starter. He is expected to play an increasingly large role in the offense due to both his development as well as the aging Philip Rivers. Los Angeles has always been a pass first offense as long as Rivers has been quarterbacking, but Gordon is helping to change that narrative.
As fans remember, the Chargers were the only team Cleveland was able to come away with a win against in 2016. They finished 5-11, mainly due to extreme inconsistency and troubles down the stretch finishing games.
The Chargers were certainly a pass-first offense last season when they came into Cleveland on Christmas Eve, and may still resemble this style in 2017. But with Gordon coming on stronger than ever, opposing defenses including the Browns in Week 13 must have a strong game plan to combat a relentless rushing attack.
1. Le’Veon Bell, Pittsburgh Steelers
The Browns will open and close the season against the Pittsburgh Steelers, quite possibly the consensus arch rival of fans. Pittsburgh, coming one win short of a Super Bowl appearance in 2016, has not changed much and will still bring offensive weapons at every position.
Last season, Pittsburgh finished seventh in total yards and fifth in passing yards, with 4,202. Thanks to weapons all around, the Steelers are one of football’s most balanced offenses. Combine that with a running back the caliber of Le’Veon Bell, and opposing defenses have a major dilemma on their hands.
Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown may get most of the attention, but for some reason, it always seems to be Bell doing all the damage against the Browns.
In their Week 17 clash last season, Pittsburgh rested Bell in preparation for their postseason run. But in the two teams’ other contest at FirstEnergy Stadium in Week 11, Bell led his team to a comfortable victory with 146 yards and a touchdown on the ground and 55 yards through the air.
Even putting this particular performance aside, Bell is without a doubt the most talented running back the Browns will be facing this season. Unfortunately, they will need to face him twice, and even worse, he may not even be the most dangerous weapon the Steelers have.
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The Browns better get it together defensively or else their streak of season-opening defeats is bound to continue.