The Cleveland Browns head into the season with a running back room with many questions. The team finished the year 11-6 with a playoff appearance despite losing star running back Nick Chubb just two weeks in. They leaned on a young back in Jerome Ford, who showed flashes but was not nearly the same.
Three Running Backs the Browns Could Draft Later This Month
Running Back Room Could Be Rounded Out With One of These Additions
Heading into a draft where they don’t pick until the middle of the second round, the Browns are in a position to add to their running back room. They made two additions this offseason, signing Nyheim Hines and D’Onta Foreman. Hines will be used primarily as a returner as he has been in the past. Foreman, a veteran who will add depth to the room.
With no clear idea of how Chubb and the running back room will be after this season, there are some options in this year’s draft for the orange and brown ro pounce on. With a class with minimal elite talent, a lot of solid options will be available in the middle rounds.
Bucky Irving
The University of Oregon product brings a different skill set than Chubb. A versatile guy who was even seen lining up out wide, Irving possesses a lot of impressive traits. He had the top speed of anyone in this running back class and made guys miss with 69 missed tackles forced last season.
Underrated winner from the new kickoff rule:
Bucky Irving pic.twitter.com/I0ODfCQSPu
— FF Mike Kash (@FFMikeKash) March 26, 2024
He spent a season at Minnesota, before bursting onto the scene in two seasons with the ducks. Last season he took 186 carries for 1,180 rushing yards good for 6.3 yards per carry. He had 11 rushing touchdowns and added 56 catches for 413 receiving yards with two receiving touchdowns.
Irving is a guy who showed a lot of potential and burst in college. He would be a great addition to a running back room that sometimes lacks an explosive burst and catch and run ability.
Audric Estime
The Notre Dame back is the opposite of Irving and built more like Chubb. He seeks out contact and looks to run defenders over. He did a lot of that in college and would bring toughness and hard running to the running back room.
LeGarrette Blount vibes on this Audric Estime double hurdle pic.twitter.com/n9dze1Eofn
— Mathias Cubillan (@mathiascubillan) March 27, 2024
Estime was also a three-year collegiate back spending all three seasons with the Fighting Irish. After a very quiet first season, he saw more production as a Sophomore. He averaged 5.9 yards per carry, had 11 rushing touchdowns, and had 920 rushing yards.
He capped off his collegiate career well rushing for 1,341 rushing yards on 6.4 yards per carry with 18 rushing touchdowns. Estime had the third-best rushing grade and is a smart and patient runner with a bigger frame.
Isaiah Davis
Isaiah Davis is a later-round prospect who could end up with the orange and brown running back room. He is listed at 6’1 and 220 pounds and spent four years at South Dakota State.
The competition he faced was not as strong, but he played four full years and took advantage of his touches. In his first two seasons, he combined for a little over 1,500 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns, averaging 8.5 and 7.4 yards per carry respectively.
In his final two seasons, he rushed for 1,451 and 1,578 rushing yards with a combined 33 rushing touchdowns. Davis is a powerful runner who gets yards after contact with a bigger size. He has quick feet and the ability to be a three-down back when needed.
The Browns used four running backs last season with injuries being an issue. The running back room always had to be ready, which could apply this season as well. With Chubb’s return unknown, Foreman and Hines could be joined by one of these three rookies. If so, the Browns will have the stability in the room with a high-ceiling rookie.
Main Photo: Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard-USA TODAY NETWORK
