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Cleveland Browns 53-Man roster prediction entering Preseason Week 4

By Randy Gurzi

TAMPA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 23: Odell Beckham #13 of the Cleveland Browns warms up during a preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on August 23, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 23: Odell Beckham #13 of the Cleveland Browns warms up during a preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on August 23, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – AUGUST 17: D’Ernest Johnson #30 of the Cleveland Browns catches a pass during the second half of the preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on August 17, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

Running Back (3): Nick Chubb, Dontrell Hilliard, D’Ernest Johnson

There were some changes made to the running back room recently as Duke Johnson was able to get the team to move him elsewhere. Following a tumultuous offseason, Cleveland traded away one of the more popular players on the team as Duke was sent to the Houston Texans.

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With him gone, Dontrell Hilliard ascended to the role of the No. 2 back for the first eight games while Kareem Hunt serves a suspension. Hilliard took full advantage of the drama with Johnson as he was able to shine in everything he was asked to do. This included not only playing at running back, but he also proved to be a valuable returner.

Another development that came with the departure of Duke Johnson was the rise of D’Ernest Johnson, who slid into the third running back spot. The former AAF star also showed he can help on special teams and played well enough to secure himself a spot on the roster.

Of course, the man who will make this thing go early on is going to be Nick Chubb, the 2018 second-round pick out of Georgia. Chubb momentarily crossed the 1,000-yard mark last season but lost a few yards on his last couple of carries and ended his rookie campaign with 996 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground.

Chubb could have some competition for snaps when Hunt completes his suspension but he proved in college he can thrive in a multiple back offense. Should the Browns be in contention late in the year, they could be a team to watch out for as they have the kind of running backs that can take over games.

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