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.
NFL team No. 4 interested in trading for Cleveland Browns running back: Seattle Seahawks
This trade could involve a Browns running back and their former starting quarterback Baker Mayfield. Seattle hasn’t established a No. 1 back but they will have Rashaad Penny coming back along with Chris Carson — but Carson might not make it to the starting roster because they could save some cap space if they were to release him. Penny had a nice season a year ago as he ended up averaging 6.3 yards a carry when he collected 749 yards total.
The Seahawks did draft, Kenneth Walker, out of Michigan State as well and he could become that No. 1 back the team has searched for. But sending D’ernest Johnson that way could be a big benefit to Seattle and give them an every-down back. Penny is a good running back and teaming him up with someone like Johnson might be a great move by the Seahawks and the Browns could gain some valuable draft picks with the trade.
NFL team No. 3 interested in trading for Cleveland Browns running back: Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals could be a team that could really benefit by trading for a Browns running back. The Cardinals had Chase Edmonds and James Conner as their primary backs.
Edmonds now has left the Cardinals as a free agent and signed a two-year $12 contract with the Miami Dolphins who are another desperate team looking for a run game. That leaves Conner as the Cardinals main running back.
He had a respectable season going for 721 total yards but only a 3.7 yards per carry average. Sending Cleveland’s D’Ernest Johnson or Kareem Hunt westward would be a good move for both teams. The Cardinals would have that legitimate back to team up with Conner and the Browns would likely collect a draft pick or two for the seasons ahead.
NFL team No. 2 interested in trading for Cleveland Browns running back: Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs have been trying to find that running back to lead the charge for them since they released Kareem Hunt years ago after his off-the-field issues. The Chiefs most recent experiment has been with running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire out of LSU, but he’s turning out to be a bust. Edwards-Helaire has been injury-prone in his first two seasons in KC. He only collected 517 yards last season on the ground and a slim 4.3 yards a carry.
The Chiefs have an explosive and fast-paced offense behind their quarterback Patrick Mahomes and he’s been able to cover up this team’s weak leak on offense. Sending a Browns running back to the Chiefs could help them become even more dominating offensively. The Browns could trade for some additional support on defense or gather more draft picks.
NFL team No. 1 interested in trading for Cleveland Browns running back: Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons have been a mess in the run department for a while. They did use Cordarrelle Patterson as a running back for much of the season rather than the wide receiver position he was drafted at originally back in 2013. Patterson’s versatility was impressive last season for the Falcons as he rushed the ball 153 times for 618 yards and he caught 52 passes for 548 yards.
But relying on Patterson to do everything on offense might not be the best approach. Making a trade with Cleveland could be a good decision by Atlanta.
Whatever team trades for a Browns running back will be a happy group because Cleveland has had an excellent history of producing great running back rooms.
For Cleveland, while they will certainly miss one of these excellent running backs if they were traded, they have a room full of skilled backs that will carry on a Browns tradition of an excellent run game.