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5 Cleveland Browns needing a new contract

By Randy Gurzi

CLEVELAND, OH - SEPTEMBER 09: Joe Schobert #53 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates his fumble recovery with Derrick Kindred #26 during the fourth quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at FirstEnergy Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - SEPTEMBER 09: Joe Schobert #53 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates his fumble recovery with Derrick Kindred #26 during the fourth quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at FirstEnergy Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, COLORADO – DECEMBER 15: Dontrell Hilliard #25 of the Cleveland Browns tcarries the ball against Bradley Chubb #55 of the Denver Broncos at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on December 15, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO – DECEMBER 15: Dontrell Hilliard #25 of the Cleveland Browns tcarries the ball against Bradley Chubb #55 of the Denver Broncos at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on December 15, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

5. Dontrell Hilliard, Running Back

He may not be the biggest name on the list, but running back Dontrell Hilliard is a player the Browns should want to keep around. Entering the final year of his deal, Hilliard has been sparingly used but is well respected for his ability as a receiver out of the backfield — not unlike Duke Johnson who has made a career as a receiving back.

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While Johnson is clearly a better option than Hilliard in this role, he’s also made it clear that he would like to be elsewhere. Whether that’s due to the team signing Kareem Hunt in the offseason or Johnson being upset by trade rumors, the fact remains that the relationship between Duke and the Browns is strained and may not be repairable long-term.

As for Hilliard, the undrafted free agent out of Tulane joined the Browns on a two-year deal worth just over $1 million according to Spotrac.com. He will be an exclusive rights free agent in 2020, meaning the Browns will control his rights should they want to keep him around, which all indications point to them wanting to do just that.

The reality of his contract and the team’s ability to retain him for the next couple of seasons suggests that they will wait to extend Hilliard. He likely will find himself being tendered in 2020 and possibly 2021 again as a restricted free agent.

While all that is true, it doesn’t mean he isn’t deserving of a new deal — because he is. Hilliard had nine receptions for 105 yards and will certainly be in line for an expanded role this season. He will be the third back while Kareem Hunt is suspended for eight games and could keep that role should the team grant Johnson’s request for a trade at that point.

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