The Cleveland Browns will officially begin the first part of their practice schedule with rookie minicamp on May 10th.
Shortly thereafter, on May 21st, OTAs (Organized Team activities) will begin, giving the entire team a chance to collaborate for the first time. Before we get to that point, it's important to look at each of Cleveland's position groups.
Today, we'll take a closer look at the Browns' current running back room.
Current roster (7)
Nick Chubb
Statistics for 2023: 170 rushing yards, 6.1 average, 4 receptions, 21 receiving yards
Chubb suffered a severe knee injury in Week 2 of the 2023 season against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He underwent IR treatment immediately after the injury and has since undergone multiple surgeries to repair tendons in his knee. All signs point to him being ready to play at some point in the 2024 season, but no one knows when that will be. Chubb will likely start the season on the PUP list.
PFF grade: 81.6
jerome ford
Statistics for 2023: 813 rushing yards, 4.0 average, 4 TD, 44 rec, 319 receiving yards, 5 TD
Ford stepped in admirably to replace Chubb last year and will look to do the same with Foreman and Hines for the first half of the 2024 season. He has proven to be a good receiver out of the backfield in 2023 and could be an effective all-around back for Cleveland going forward.
PFF grade: 68.9
donta foreman
Statistics for 2023: 425 rushing yards, 3.9 average, 4 TD, 11 rec, 77 receiving yards, 1 TD
Foreman was added in free agency because of his demanding running style and could help with some of the team's early down duties until Nick Chubb returns. He's a pretty efficient runner between the tackles and knows how to chip away at difficult yards.Foreman could end up being the 2024 version of him. kareem hunt Regarding this crime.
PFF grade: 74.0
Nyheim Hines
Statistics for 2023: He will miss the 2023 season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
Hines is one of the league's top receiving/gadget-type running backs when healthy and could be a dangerous weapon for Cleveland in 2024. This season, he can line up at multiple spots and play several different roles in the offense.
PFF grade: Not applicable
Pierre Strong Jr.
Statistics for 2023: 291 rushing yards, 4.6 average, 1 TD, 5 receptions, 47 receiving yards
Strong Jr. showed flashes of playmaking ability in 2023, but he will need to improve over the summer if he wants to be seen as a legitimate depth option this season. Depending on how many running backs the team decides to carry in 2024, he could be a practice squad-only option for the Browns.
PFF grade: 60.6
john kelly jr.
Statistics for 2023: Not applicable. He was active only in the playoffs, playing eight special teams snaps.
Kelly Jr. has been a stud on the Browns' preseason and practice squads since 2021, but has not been able to make the active roster as of late. He will likely experience more of the same this year as the team added a lot of talent in free agency.
PFF grade: Not applicable
Aidan Robbins – BYU
Statistics for 2023: 485 rushing yards, 4.8 average, 1 TD, 7 rec, 33 receiving yards
Robins signed as a UDFA shortly after the 2024 NFL Draft. He was injured for part of the 2023 season, but was a productive runner for the Cougars when healthy. He was one of college football's top “Group of 5” running backs at UNLV in 2022 before transferring to BYU. He has a chance to make the active roster if Cleveland ends up keeping four ball carriers.
PFF grade: Not applicable
Projection depth chart (3)
RB1 – Jerome Ford
RB2 – Donta Foreman
RB3 – Nyheim Hines
PUP list – Nick Chubb
If the team decides to keep four running backs on the 53-man roster heading into Week 1, which is currently unlikely, Pierre Strong Jr. or Aidan Robbins will take the RB4 spot. There is a possibility of a fight.
What do you think about Cleveland's running back room heading into offseason action? Join fellow Browns fans in the comments section below.