How much does the Cleveland Browns front office value running backs?
By Josh Brown
Will the Cleveland Browns front office hand out extensions to running backs?
While the Cleveland Browns front office has only been together one offseason, they have some critical decisions on the horizon regarding all the young talent amassed the last few years.
The rumors of Myles Garrett being extended have already begun, and Baker Mayfield’s upcoming season will make or break his talks. Denzel Ward has made a Pro Bowl and is also a significant part of the future decisions.
While all of these players are nearly a lock to get an extension, there is one player who has performed as well or better than the rest over the last two seasons, but might be the first young superstar out the door. It all depends on how Andrew Berry and the new order value the running back position.
Running back value
The Browns organization has fully embraced the Moneyball analytics that chart value of each position. It helps determine a dollar amount a team is willing to go to during contract negotiations. While we have no definitives on Andrew Berry when it comes to extending running backs, we have analytics to help guide us on running back value. That should help give us a clue on where the Browns will go with Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt.
While each organization has its variation of how these numbers work, the “key” positions such as quarterback, cornerback, edge rusher/defensive line, and offensive line will have the highest available money.
Nearly every analytics-based process places minimal value on the running back position, viewing it as easily replaceable. That does not bode well for a running back in an organization that uses analytics more than any other in the NFL.