The Browns are under a month away from the start of training camp, which will kick off with their visit to The Greenbrier. To prepare for training camp, we're putting together a preview of each position on the roster. Let's take a look at the running backs as the next part of the series.
The Running Backs:
Nick Chubb
Jerome Ford
D'Onta Foreman
Nyheim Hines
John Kelly Jr.
Giovanni Ricci
Aidan Robbins
Pierre Strong Jr.
What we know: The Browns fortified their running back room during the offseason, as they signed Hines, Foreman and Ricci during free agency, who each have experience in the league and have played different roles over their careers. Hines has established himself as both a pass-catching threat out of the backfield, as well as a strong kick returner. Foreman brings veteran presence to the room as he is entering his eighth NFL and began his career alongside QB Deshaun Watson in Houston. Ricci is also officially listed as a fullback for the Browns and provides another weapon in the run game.
The new additions join a group that was led last season by Ford after Chubb suffered a season-ending injury. Chubb has continued to progress in his recovery and said during OTAs that he believes he is "where I need to be." The return of their star running back will play an integral role in the development of the run game in 2024, especially in new offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey's offense.
The biggest question: How will the Browns split up the running back duties? Chubb is their star running back, but as he makes his return to the field for the first time following his season-ending knee injury, there is still the uncertainty of how quickly he can return to his previous production. Ford, who stepped into the featured back role in 2023, may have to take a step back into a backup role behind Chubb. The Browns will also have to find playing time for their other backs either in the run game or other roles on special teams.
The Browns fortified their running back room during the offseason, as they signed Hines, Foreman and Ricci during free agency, who each have experience in the league and have played different roles over their careers. Hines has established himself as both a pass-catching threat out of the backfield, as well as a strong kick returner. Foreman brings veteran presence to the room as he is entering his eighth NFL and began his career alongside WB Deshaun Watson in Houston. Ricci is also officially listed as a fullback for the Browns and provides another weapon in the run game.
Running back Nick Chubb (24) during a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on December 17, 2022 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 13-3.
Tight end Giovanni Ricci (44) during a workout in Phase II of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 7, 2024.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during a NFL football game between the New York Jets and Cleveland Browns on Thursday Night Football on December 28, 2023 at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The Browns won 37-20.
Running back Nick Chubb (24) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday Night Football on September 18, 2023 at Acrisure Stadium. The Browns lost 22-26.
Running back Pierre Strong Jr. (20) before a NFL football game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Cleveland Browns on December 10, 2023 at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The Browns won 31 - 27.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Denver Broncos on November 26, 2023 at Empower Field at Mile High. The Browns lost 12-29.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Indianapolis Colts on October 22, 2023 at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Browns won 39-38.
Running back Pierre Strong Jr. (20) during a NFL football game between the Chicago Bears and Cleveland Browns on December 17, 2023 at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The Browns won 20-17.
Running back John Kelly Jr. (41) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs on August 26, 2023 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. The Browns lost 32-33.
Running back Pierre Strong Jr. (20) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on January 7, 2024 at Paycor Stadium. The Browns lost 14-31.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during a NFL Wild Card playoff football game between the Cleveland Browns and Houston Texans on January 13, 2024 at NRG Stadium. The Browns lost 14-45.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during a NFL football game between the Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns on September 24, 2023 at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The Browns won 27-3.
Running back Aidan Robbins (49) during OTA 1 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 21, 2024.
Tight end Giovanni Ricci (87) during a workout in Phase I of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on April 16, 2024.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during a NFL football game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Cleveland Browns on December 10, 2023 at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The Browns won 31-27.
Running back Pierre Strong Jr. (20) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Houston Texans on December 24, 2023 at NRG Stadium. The Browns won 36-22.
Running back John Kelly Jr. (41) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs on August 26, 2023 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. The Browns lost 32-33.
Running back Nick Chubb (24) during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on September 10, 2023 at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The Browns won 24-3.
Running back D'Onta Foreman (27) during the second day of mandatory minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 12, 2024.
Running back Nick Chubb (24) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 11, 2022 at Paycor Stadium. The Browns lost 23-10.
Running back Nyheim Hines (22) during a workout in Phase I of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on April 22, 2024.
Running back Nyheim Hines (22) during a workout in Phase II of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on April 29, 2024.
Running back Nyheim Hines (22) during a workout in Phase II of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on April 30, 2024.
Running back D'Onta Foreman (27) during a workout in Phase II of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 7, 2024.
Running back Aidan Robbins (49) during OTA 4 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 28, 2024.
Tight end Giovanni Ricci (44) during OTA 6 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 30, 2024.
Running back Aidan Robbins (49) during a workout on the second day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 11, 2024.
Running back Nick Chubb (24) during a NFL football game between the New Orleans Saints and Cleveland Browns on December 24, 2022 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns lost 10-17.
Running back Aidan Robbins (49) during the second day of mandatory minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 12, 2024.
Tight end Giovanni Ricci (44) during the third day of mandatory minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 13, 2024.
Running back D'Onta Foreman (27) during OTA 4 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 28, 2024.
Running back D'Onta Foreman (27) during the second day of mandatory minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 12, 2024.
Running back John Kelly Jr. (41) during the Hall of Fame Game between the New York Jets and Cleveland Browns on August 3, 2023 at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. The Browns won 21-16.
Running back John Kelly Jr. (41) during the Hall of Fame Game between the New York Jets and Cleveland Browns on August 3, 2023 at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. The Browns won 21-16.
The X-Factor: Chubb. The Browns missed their star running back during the 2023 season and saw their run game slightly decline because of his absence. While Players like Ford, Strong and Kareem Hunt stepped in to fill the void, Chubb has played an integral role in the success of the Browns' run game since his arrival in Cleveland in 2018. The four-time Pro Bowler has rushed for 6,511 yards and 48 touchdowns on 1,238 carries in his six seasons. He also has 123 receptions for 1,011 receiving yards and four touchdowns.
The biggest number: 204 – Ford's carries during the 2023 season. That number significantly jumped from his rookie season in 2022 when he had eight carries and was limited mainly to kickoff return, to becoming the featured back for the Browns after Chubb suffered the season-ending knee injury in Week 2. Ford showcased his skillset as a threat in the run game as he finished the season with 813 rushing yards and four touchdowns. He also added 44 receptions for 319 yards and five touchdowns. As the Browns see how Chubb responds in his return, Ford still can play a vital role as a backup rusher.
Says it all: "He is working like crazy. And I get to witness it in our building, I get to see him in our meetings, he's a huge, huge part of our program. He's a huge part of what we do. And I'll let Nick speak for himself, but I get to witness him work firsthand." – Head coach Kevin Stefanski on Chubb's progress
How many were kept on the initial 53-man roster last year: 3
