5 NFL teams that would love to trade for Cleveland Browns running back
By John Suchan
With a room full of Cleveland Browns running backs, the team is likely to trade one of them at some point. Who and what other NFL teams could be in the mix?
The Cleveland Browns have one of the best running back units in the NFL. That was elaborated on by the most recent PFF running back rankings where the team’s backs were ranked No. 1.
The team has been led by Nick Chubb and his sidekick Kareem Hunt for the last three seasons. Now the two are entering year four together and it could be an even greater show on the field of play. The team also has recently resigned D’Ernest Johnson who shined this past season when his number was called. Having three solid and potential starting running backs on your team roster is more than most other NFL teams would dream of having. It’s really a nice problem to have in all honesty.
With the emergence of Johnson into the mix and the fact that Hunt is coming into the last season of his current contract, it’s started to create some questions about the unit and where they end up now and into the future.
To add more question marks, Cleveland decided to draft Jerome Ford, from Cincinnati in the 2022 NFL Draft. The Browns drafted Demetric Felton a year ago as well, and he has been splitting time between the running backs room and the wide receiver room. So far, he seems to be working out more with the receivers in this most recent minicamp that has been going on this week in Berea.
That’s five running backs that all have a chance with the team. However, it’s more likely that one or two of these players could be on the move to another NFL team by the time the season rolls around in September.
The team would save $6 million in cap space if they traded Hunt at this point. Despite the outcry by the fan base that trade would make the most sense. I’ve suggested more recently that trading Johnson would be the better move at this point. Though it wouldn’t save the team the most money, giving Johnson an opportunity to be a No. 1 back for an NFL team would be a cool move by the team.
Whoever gets traded, there will be questions and debates, but let’s identify five other teams that would love to grab one of the Browns running backs in trade.
NFL team No. 5 interested in trading for Cleveland Browns running back: Houston Texans
The Houston Texans were awful last season in the run game. They have running backs Rex Burkhead, Marlon Mack, and free-agent signee Dare Ogunbowale on the squad. That’s not exactly the running back room that’s going to lead anyone to the playoffs. The Texans did draft, Dameon Pierce, out of Florida and he could provide some new younger energy.
The Browns and the Texans have dealt in trades before with running backs. Back in 2019, Duke Johnson, formally with Cleveland was traded to Houston prior to the season starting. So, don’t be surprised if the Texans make a move again to take one of the Browns backs.