The Cleveland Browns finished another disappointing and dysfunctional season in 2015, ending the season tied for the worst record in the NFL at 3-13. This past season brought on a lot of change, including a whole new front office led by Sashi Brown and Paul DePodesta and a new coaching staff led by head coach Hue Jackson. With the changes, the franchise has brought new hope to its fan base. (…Again.)

Over the course of the next couple weeks, I am taking a look at what the Browns have going into the offseason, examining each position of the team. The next position in the series that we will take a look at is the running back group.

Where the Browns stand series: Quarterbacks | Running Backs

Running Backs on the Roster

Duke Johnson Jr.

Isaiah Crowell

Glenn Winston

Raheem Mostert (Exclusive Restricted Free Agent)

Terrell Watson

Recap of 2015 Season

The Browns running game was just not good enough last season. The team ranked 22nd in the league with 1,529 rushing yards and 29th in rushing touchdowns with just five. The Browns average rushing yards per attempt was below the league average at just 4.0 yards per carry. Early on in the season, the Browns had to go away from the run, forcing them to pass much of the time. Late in the season, the running attack seemed to get going a bit, but it still was too inconsistent. The Browns running backs were part of the problem.

Duke Johnson Jr. was more receiver than running back in his rookie season, but he was one of the few true playmakers on the Browns offense. He finished his first season with 379 yards on the ground and 61 receptions for 534 yards and two touchdowns in the passing game. Johnson showed a lot of exciting glimpses (most of them as a receiver) during his rookie season. He is a player who can make people miss and make things happen out of nothing. His ability to catch passes makes him a player the Browns can build around going forward. He does have a lot of work to do, however, to become a better runner. He must get better at going downhill and not hesitating before hitting holes. But overall, Johnson is a player the offense can depend on to make plays going forward.

Isaiah Crowell had an up and down season in his second year. He led the team in rushing with 706 yards and four touchdowns, while also adding 19 receptions for 182 yards and a touchdown. Crowell had games where he would gain big chunks of yards and then others where he would disappear. Crowell, just like the overall running game, seemed to improve late in the season. He is a solid compliment to Duke Johnson’s skill set. He is a one-cut runner with the ability to make people miss. His biggest weakness is his vision. He has consistently missed running lanes, resulting in lost chances. Crowell’s inability to produce on a consistent basis makes him hard to rely on as a feature back.

The Browns did not get much else from any other running back. Glenn Winston was on the roster for the entire season, but was unable to snatch any playing time, even when he became healthy enough to play and injuries started to rack up in the backfield. Raheem Mostert and Terrell Watson are also on the roster, but are likely to not make the team next season.

The Browns lack a true feature back and that’s fine — a lot of teams do not possess that. Still, Duke Johnson and Isaiah Crowell did not do enough to make up for not having one. Johnson was a playmaker in the passing game, but never really making a difference in the run game. Crowell was too inconsistent to be relied on. The Browns must get a more stable backfield who can be relied on to produce more consistently on the ground.

2015 Season Grade: C+

Offseason To Do List

Give Duke Johnson the ball

Duke Johnson had a good start to his career. He became one of the few playmakers in the offense. Johnson’s versatility should make him a weapon in Hue Jackson’s new offense. With the ball in his hand, Johnson can make big plays for the offense. Last season, however, he would go long stretches where he would not be even on the field. The Browns must give him a steadier workload both as a runner and a receiver. An increase in his workload could also help him improve as a true running back. He just needs more time and plays in the running game to become better equipped as a runner.

Find consistency in the running game

The Browns have not had a consistent running back since Peyton Hillis in 2010. The Browns have had multiple backs try to be their bell cow before and since, but few have been able to do the job. The combo of Isaiah Crowell and Duke Johnson did not do enough to establish a productive run game. The Browns must go out and find someone, whether through the draft or free agency, who can make the Browns running attack successful. The team cannot go into next season with the same lineup. Crowell is just not the answer at running back and Duke Johnson is probably not a feature back who can tote the rock 30 times. He is better equipped for a multifaceted runner/receiver role.

Construct a running game and stick with it

The Browns have been stuck with a mediocre, inconsistent running game for several seasons now. With Hue Jackson at the helm, there is hope that the Browns will be better. In almost every place he has been, Jackson has relied heavily on the run game, making it a big part of his system. He has had a lot of success with his power run scheme. The Browns need to stick to the run and not go away from it like they have done so much in the recent past. The running game needs to be an integral part of the offense.