The Browns have gotten enough things right through the first four games to avoid panic, but the run game is still waiting to show up.
Cleveland sits 23rd in the league in rushing yards at 93.8 per game and 3.7 yards per carry, though those numbers are a little flattering because Deshaun Watson has padded the totals. Strip it down to the running backs, and the picture gets uglier: 59.8 rushing yards per game and 3.5 yards per carry.
The biggest concern is Quinshon Judkins. The second-year back has 177 yards on 59 carries, good for 3.0 yards per attempt. He did finally get into the end zone last Thursday night, scoring his first rushing touchdown of the season just after Jaleel McLaughlin ripped off a 28-yard touchdown run for Cleveland’s first rushing score of the year.
Judkins was a highly touted prospect out of Ohio State, and the Browns took him in the second round last year. He had a few bright spots as a rookie, including his only 100-yard rushing game against the Vikings, a three-touchdown outing against the Dolphins and a two-score performance against the Raiders.
But the larger trend has been hard to ignore. Even last season, Judkins finished with 59.1 rushing yards per game and 3.6 yards per carry, so his current 44.3 yards per game isn’t coming out of nowhere. If there’s a breakout coming, Cleveland needs it fast, because the offense can’t keep leaning on a run game that isn’t carrying its weight.
Dylan Sampson was supposed to be a major part of the backfield plan, but a knee injury in Week 1 sent him to injured reserve, and he can’t return before Week 6. That has forced Raheem Sanders and McLaughlin into the mix, though the production has been modest. Sanders has six carries for 31 yards, while McLaughlin has two carries for 31 yards, including last week’s score.
The numbers are tiny, but Sanders and McLaughlin have at least offered a little more on their limited touches. Judkins should still be the lead back, but Cleveland may need to expand the roles of Sanders and McLaughlin if the ground game is going to improve.
There’s also the question of whether the Browns should look outside the building. One reason teams hesitate to shuffle backs is pass protection, and a veteran free agent or trade acquisition could help redistribute the workload even if he hasn’t spent any time with the team.
The market, though, is thin. Nick Chubb would have made sense, but he made his retirement official a few weeks back.
Joe Mixon worked out for Seattle but won’t be signed for now. Kareem Hunt is still out there as a free agent.
Antonio Gibson, Dameon Pierce and Miles Sanders are also available, but none looks like a clean plug-and-play answer.
On the trade front, the Giants could offer a couple of possibilities in Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Devin Singletary. The Bears might also consider moving Roschon Johnson after Kyle Monangai’s recent breakout game. Tennessee’s Tony Pollard has also been mentioned as a potential target.
Cleveland may eventually go hunting for help, but not necessarily right away. The Browns probably want to see Sampson back in action before making any move.
Until then, Judkins, Sanders and McLaughlin have to do more. Counting on Watson to keep the chains moving on the ground doesn’t look like a winning plan.
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