Proposed trade idea sends Browns running back help they need

Since Nick Chubb went down for the season, the Cleveland Browns have had an issue at running back. The team signed Kareem Hunt and promoted Jerome Ford to be the starter but neither have gotten the job done to this point. ESPN’s Bill Barnwell made a trade idea that might just work. Cleveland would get […]

Brandon Little — Ohio State Buckeyes & Cleveland Browns News Writer

Oct 12, 2023 5:38 PM EDT

Since Nick Chubb went down for the season, the Cleveland Browns have had an issue at running back.

The team signed Kareem Hunt and promoted Jerome Ford to be the starter but neither have gotten the job done to this point.

ESPN’s Bill Barnwell made a trade idea that might just work. Cleveland would get back old friend D’Ernest Johnson and a seventh-round pick for a fifth-round pick. It is worth noting that the Browns have an extra fifth-round pick from trading Joshua Dobbs to the Arizona Cardinals.

“Johnson just finished a four-year tenure with the Browns in 2022, and while he didn't see much action outside of the 2021 season, he averaged more than 5.0 yards per carry across 147 rushes in Cleveland. Johnson signed with the Jags in the offseason, but he has been buried behind Travis Etienne and Tank Bigsby on the depth chart; Johnson has six carries in Jacksonville's first five games. The Jags would get more out of this late-round pick swap than what they're currently getting from Johnson, and the Browns would add a player who knows their offense and could become a starter.” – Bill Barnwell, ESPN

Johnson played in 64 games over four seasons with the Browns before signing with the Jaguars as a free agent. In 2021, Johnson had 534 rushing yards at a 5.3 yards per carry clip. That season was far and beyond his best, as it was the only season he had ample opportunity.

With Ford and Hunt not providing a ton in the run game so far, it may be worth adding another back before the trade deadline on Halloween. Johnson knows the system, so that’s a plus, and he is familiar with Cleveland.

It’s doubtful that Jacksonville would be reluctant to trade Johnson since they are not using him. It would be worth it for the Browns to inquire and see if they could get the 27-year-old back.