Cleveland Browns: Todd Gurley an option at 12?

When it comes to the Cleveland Browns 2015 draft needs, running back isn’t exactly the top of the list. Heck for most fans, it may not even make the top Five. But with the latest rumors suggesting the Browns are unwilling to meet the Tennessee Titans demands to move up and grab quarterback Marcus Mariota, the Browns could find themselves in position to take the draft’s top running back with the 12th pick in the draft.

With Mariota out of reach, and the top three wide receivers expected to be off the board by the time the Browns come on the clock, Georgia running back Todd Gurley could sit atop Cleveland’s big board. Though the highest Gurley has been consistently mocked is to the Dolphins at pick 14, there are multiple reports saying that teams are extremely high on Gurley and he could go higher than projected (he’s been mocked to the Jets at 6 and Falcons at 8.)

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Last year the Browns used a 3rd round pick on Towson running back, Terrance West, and added Isaiah Crowell in free agency. But neither player was signed to be the teams primary runner. At the time, that role belonged to free agent addition Ben Tate. Ultimately, Tate was released mid-season as Crowell and West outperformed expectations with each back gaining over 600 yards on the ground and combining for 12 touchdowns.

West and Crowell both have bright futures ahead of them, but Gurley is a unique case. Yahoo Sports, Greg Cosell thinks Gurley might be the best player in the draft. A talent evaluator told NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport that Gurley is the best running back in the draft since Adrian Peterson. Todd Gurley has a rare combination of vision, power, and explosiveness that make him an extremely tempting prospect, even as he recover from a torn ACL and prepares to enter the pass happy NFL.

Gurley’s talent transcends positional needs and his name recognition helps provide a more reliable face of the franchise than fresh from rehab Johnny Manziel and indefinitely suspended Josh Gordon (I know they have Joe Haden, but that’s not the name most casual NFL fans associate with the team.) The Browns had a chance at wide receiver Sammy Watkins (or Odell Beckham Jr. for that matter) last year, and may now find themselves regretting it, with most analysts expecting them to add a pass catcher early this year.

Nov 15, 2014; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs running back Todd Gurley (3) runs against the Auburn Tigers during the second half at Sanford Stadium. Georgia defeated Auburn 34-7. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

While I think that the Browns would be happy to return to their original plan of running a three-back system with Gurley as the new spearhead, particularly given that his biggest flaw is his injury history, Gurley’s addition would open up the possibility of a trade.

Specifically, the Browns could look to deal Isaiah Crowell to the Atlanta Falcons. Crowell would get to return to his native Georgia and reunite with offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, while giving the Falcons a running mate for second year player, Devonta Freeman.

Oddly enough it was Crowell’s dismissal from the University of Georgia that cleared the path for Gurley’s rise to prominence in the college ranks. Perhaps it could happen again in the pros.

Bottom line: this isn’t a question of whether or not the Browns need a running back it’s a question of whether or not they can afford to pass on a potential superstar at a skill position. The Trent Richardson debacle may have Browns fans skittish, but I think it could be the right move.

Next: Cleveland Browns: 5 best offseason moves

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