Running Backs
Absolute Locks:
Nick Chubb
More Than Likely Safe:
Kareem Hunt
Andy Janovich
50/50 Chance They’re In:
Dontrell Hilliard
D’Ernest Johnson
Possibly Practice Squad:
Johnny Stanton
Brian Herrien
Benny LaMay
Nick Chubb is the only lock on here and that may be surprising to people, but it shouldn’t be. Kareem Hunt is an extremely talented running back. He should be on the Browns roster next year. However, if another team comes calling, he could be traded. In the case of Andy Janovich, he is also an extremely talented fullback that the Browns traded for. 95 times out of 100 he makes this roster and is the team’s main fullback.
There is a small possibility though that Johnny Stanton gets the nod over Andy Janovich. Stanton has had previous experience with coach Stefanski and if he outperforms Janovich in training camp and the preseason, he could find himself as the starting fullback. This is a very unlikely outcome, but it is still possible. Janovich does have an injury history, though, so the Browns may keep Janovich on the practice squad as a plan B.
As for the other running backs, Dontrell Hilliard and D’Ernest Johnson both hold the backup spots at running back. I gave them 50-50 odds of making the roster, but Hilliard feels like more of a lock than Johnson. These spots will incorporate special team value significantly, so it’s possible that either of the undrafted free agents, Brian Herrien and Benny LeMay, could sneak on to the roster as a special teams player.
For now, Chubb, Hunt, Hilliard, and Johnson are the running backs on this prediction, along with Andy Janovich as the fullback.