Cleveland Browns: 15 best running backs of all-time
By Randy Gurzi
The Cleveland Browns seem to have found a star in Nick Chubb which has us feeling nostalgic as we look back at the best 15 running backs of all-time.
2018 has been one of the most memorable seasons in Cleveland Browns history. While they won’t be remembered as a playoff team, they will get praise for the huge steps they made as a team.
Following a 1-31 stretch from 2016-2017, the Browns got things figured out this season. Or at least they got it figured out after firing Hue Jackson.
Since he left, the team has looked completely different. Players are digging deep and putting up some impressive games. Seeing them put together some wins down the stretch reminds us all how great the NFL can be when Cleveland has a good football team.
With that in mind, we look back over the life of this historic team and pick out the 15 best players to line up behind the quarterback. Here we have our best Cleveland Browns running backs of all-time.
Isaiah Crowell. 15. player. 53. . RB. 2014-2017
The name Isaiah Crowell doesn’t evoke smiles around Northeast Ohio, but he still sneaks onto this list. While he wasn’t ever a franchise back, Crowell did put together four decent seasons on some pretty bad rosters. And he did so despite being an undrafted free agent.
Of course, Crowell didn’t go undrafted due to talent. Instead, he had some character concerns after being kicked out of the University of Georgia program. An arrest for a weapons charge was the straw that broke the camel’s back there, but Crowell had issues before that.
He ended up with Alabama State before making his way to the Browns. As a rookie, he showed off his skill. Crowell had 607 yards and a career-high eight touchdowns that season. He continued to play well as a second-year pro, but his third season was his best. That year, Crowell had 952 yards and seven touchdowns while averaging 4.8 yards per carry.
Crowell played just one more season before heading to the New York Jets this past offseason. He ended his time with the Browns by running for 3,803 yards and 27 touchdowns. He added another score and 770 yards off 96 catches in Cleveland. Crowell isn’t remembered fondly, but he’s still an underrated player.