The Cleveland Browns want to run the ball. With Brian Hoyer under center last season, head coach Mike Pettine knew that controlling the clock and pounding the ball gave his team the best chance to win. At first, that strategy seemed to be working. Before center Alex Mack went down with a broken leg in Week 5, the Browns averaged 4.5 yards-per-carry and just north of 26 points a game. Mack should be ready for the start of the regular season this year so they'll want to stick to that formula with Josh McCown or Johnny Manziel starting. Cleveland's lack of consistent aerial threats will also contribute to a run-heavy scheme as well.
But who will be the lead back in Cleveland? Pettine has some intriguing options in Isaiah Crowell, Duke Johnson and Terrance West.
"Just one NFL team had three running backs carry the football at least 100 times apiece in 2014: the Browns," ESPN NFL Insider Field Yates wrote. "Ben Tate was the early bell cow before eventually being released. Crowell, a talented undrafted free agent, and West, a third-rounder, each took on a starting role for part of the season thereafter. Enter Johnson, who has generated as much offseason buzz as just about any other non-first-round pick this offseason. Johnson's college accolades are notable (being the all-time leading rusher at a school that has produced NFL stars such as Edgerrin James, Ottis Anderson, Clinton Portis, Frank Gore and Willis McGahee, among others), as is his pass-catching ability. But we'll have a better outlook as to how the carries could shake out after seeing this trio with the pads on in game action (even if it's exhibition contests)."
Crowell carried the ball 148 times for 607 yards (4.1 YPC) and eight touchdowns. West toted it 171 times for 673 yards (3.9 YPC) and four scores. Both had some impressive moments that year. But I wouldn't be surprised if Johnson worked his way to the top of the depth chart at some point. He's a three-down back with explosive ability who can make plays with the ball in his hands. Regardless of who starts, the Browns run three deep at the RB position.
