The Cleveland Browns did not run the ball as well as they have in past years in 2023. Much of that had to do with personnel due to injury.

Nick Chubb missed 15 games and the Browns’ running game never took form with Jerome Ford and Kareem Hunt manning the ship.

With Chubb set to return from injury as long as they work through the contract, the Browns are still going to need to add at the position.

Ford and Pierre Strong could battle for a roster spot behind Chubb and a free agent, ideally. The Browns bringing in an affordable veteran free agent makes the most sense behind Chubb. Perhaps the Browns draft a running back if the value is right too.

RB D’Andre Swift

The Browns wanted to trade for a swift from the Lions before the Eagles ended up dealing for him last draft season. With the Eagles in 2023, Swift made his first Pro Bowl by running for a career-high 1,049 yards. Swift added 39 receptions for 214 yards.

If Chubb is healthy enough to be close to the guy he was before the injury, he is going to be the volume guy for the Browns. But there is a chance he can’t be that guy anymore and the Browns have to be prepared for that if it happens.

According to our cap experts here at A to Z Sports, Swift is going to command a multi-year deal. The Browns don’t want to spend on running back depth, though in this instance he could end up being a starter down the road.

• Projected Contract: 4 years, $22.0 million, $5.5M APY, $12.5M GTD
• Year One Cap Hit: $4.2 million

RB Austin Ekeler

At least in 2023, Ekeler did not appear as an every-down running back. He lost a step in his yards per carry which dropped off from 4.5 to 3.5. Ekeler is entering his eighth season and is getting up there in terms of the running back shelf life. According to our cap experts, his next deal is going to be plenty affordable.

Projected Contract: 1 year, $4 million, $4.0M APY, $3.0M GTDYear One Cap Hit: $2.0 million

Ekeler adds an element in the passing game and he was still good in that part of his game in 2023. The veteran running back caught 51 passes for 436 yards and a score.

Ideally, you bring in Ekeler to pair with Chubb as a third-down pass catcher and a different pace. He is still a playmaker, which you can never have enough of.

RB Zack Moss

My last one here may be the most likely. Moss has a past connection to Cleveland and that is offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey. Moss was with the Buffalo Bills from 2020-2022 after being a third-round draft selection in 2020.

The first real chance to start for Moss was in 2023 with the Indianapolis Colts, filling in for Jonathan Taylor. Moss ran for 794 yards and five touchdowns in 14 games for the Colts this past season.

At just 26 years old, Moss still has some juice in the tank. Thanks to our cap predictions, Moss is expected to get a deal that would be affordable for the Browns.

Projected Contract: 2 years, $7.5M, $3.75M APY, $2M GTDYear One Cap Hit: $2.5M

Moss has consistently run for over four yards per carry and he was a threat in the passing game for the Colts too. Moss would be a nice 1-2 punch with Chubb and could start games if needed, he’s proven that.

Browns’ rival could make a move at quarterback that would hurt Cleveland in more than one way

It would change things in the AFC North.