Cleveland Browns 2024 Free Agency: Running Back Targets

J.K. Dobbins Doesn't Believe in Slowing Down

The Cleveland Browns could use an upgrade at backup running back (and potentially spot starter) for the 2024 season. Here are some players Andrew Berry could target at the position in free agency.

The Cleveland Browns positional needs this offseason, while not as abundant as prior years, will still play a significant role in how general manager Andrew Berry approaches free agency, the draft, and trade possibilities. In this series, we are going to take a look at unrestricted free agent (players with expired contracts that have completed four or more accrued seasons of service) options at certain positions for which the Browns could use an upgrade as a starter or depth/rotational type players.

First up is running backs, where I expect the Browns to restructure Nick Chubb’s contract ($12.2M with no guarantees) in order to create more salary cap room. The options presented here are more in the realm of spot starters/complementary pieces, as I expect Chubb to return at some point during 2024 as the team’s bell cow.

Note that all statistics were sourced from Sports Info Solutions, SumerSports, rbsdm.com, and Pro Football Focus unless otherwise noted

Some definitions of metrics used throughout:

Expected points added (“EPA”) via Inside the Pylon: “Expected Points Added (EPA) is a football statistic that seeks to measure the value of individual plays in terms of points. This is done by calculating the Expected Points (EP) of the down, distance, and field position situation at the start of a play and contrasting it with the situation at the end of the play. A three-yard gain on first-and-10 is pretty different than a three-yard gain on third-and-two, something not usually captured in conventional statistics. The Expected Points framework helps translate raw gains into value.”

Relative Athletic Score (“RAS”): measures a prospect’s athletic testing results from the combine or a pro day in relation to the prospect’s size and historical results from players at the same position. Each prospect is given a score from 0 to 10 based on how their RAS matches up to those of the same position throughout history. Compiled and calculated by Kent Lee Platte of Pro Football Network.

J.K. Dobbins Doesn't Believe in Slowing Down

J.K. DOBBINS

Age: 25.1

RAS: N/A

PFF Projected Contract: 1-year, $2.5M

Notes: A former second-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, J.K. Dobbins’ career has been derailed by injury after injury, including a torn ACL in 2021 and a torn achilles in 2022. However, when healthy, Dobbins does provide value at the running back position. His best (and most active) season came during his rookie campaign, where he totaled 890 yards on 153 attempts (5.8 yards per attempt) and 10 touchdowns. His broken/missed tackle per attempt rate of 20.9 percent was the 5th-best at the position and his +22.7 EPA was the 2nd-most (trailing only Derrick Henry). While there is some risk involved given the injury history, Dobbins could very well outperform a $2.5M contract if he can stay on the field.

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ZACK MOSS

Age: 26.1

RAS: 2.81

PFF Projected Contract: 2-years, $3.75M per year

Notes: Zack Moss assumed the starting running back role for the Indianapolis Colts while fellow back Jonathan Taylor was on the PUP list and he has contributed throughout the remainder of the season. Moss amassed 793 yards on 184 attempts and five touchdowns, as well as a respectable 40.4 percent success rate. Further, his 8.5 percent explosive run rate was the 13th-highest among qualifying running backs, while he was only tackled for loss at a 7.3 percent clip. At a reasonably projected contract, Moss could be exactly what the Browns are looking for as both a backup upgrade and early season starter while Chubb gets healthy.

DEVIN SINGLETARY

Age: 26.4

RAS: 1.73

PFF Projected Contract: 2-years, $4.25M per year

Notes: Devin Singletary has been a model of consistency since being drafted in the third round of the 2019 NFL draft by the Buffalo Bills. Throughout his five-year career, he has averaged no less than 4.1 yards per attempt (three seasons of 4.6+) and he generated 3.0+ yards after contact per attempt in each of his first three seasons. In his most recent campaign with the Houston Texans, Singletary posted an 8.9 percent explosive run rate (11th) and 253 breakaway yards (16th), which represents rushing yardage on designed attempts more than 15 yards. He could very well serve as a complement to Chubb in order to improve upon a Browns rushing attack that ranked 16th in EPA per rush in 2023 (-0.11).

ANTONIO GIBSON

Age: 25.6

RAS: 9.29

PFF Projected Contract: N/A

Notes: Where I want to focus with Antonio Gibson is in the receiving aspect of his game. In each of the past three seasons with the Washington Commanders, he has totaled 40+ receptions on 50+ targets and multiple touchdowns. Looking back at 2023 specifically, Gibson accumulated 48 receptions on 57 targets for 389 yards and two touchdowns. His 44.1 positive play percentage was the 11th-highest at the position, while his 39.6 first down rate was 12th-best. Gibson’s athleticism and abilities as a receiver out of the backfield could provide value in a facet of the game where the Browns’ offense could use more production. His contract demands will probably be on the lower side of this group (spotrac average approximate value of around $1.2M), so I believe Gibson could very well be a target by Berry this offseason.

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