ESPN BREAKING NEWS: Browns Signed 1st RB off the board in the Fields Yates’ Andrew Berry’ NFL mock draft

In this year’s NFL Draft, Trey Benson might be the greatest all-around back selected.

Being truly knowledgeable about every team, particularly in the run-up to the NFL draft, is one of the hardest things for members of the national media. Despite General Manager Andrew Berry’s prioritization of age, the Cleveland Browns were known to select older players in national NFL mock drafts for many years.

Despite the Browns’ movements in free agency, the national media appears to be concentrating on the running back, wide receiver, and defensive line going into the 2024 NFL draft. ESPN recognized those needs on Tuesday and announced that Cleveland would choose a running back.

In his two-round NFL mock draft (subscription, $) on Wednesday, ESPN’s Field Yates accomplished the same approach, but the Browns were the first team off the board:

Floridian Trey Benson, running back

Our initial sprint back! Since Jerome Ford filled in admirably but not spectacularly and Nick Chubb’s availability for the start of the 2024 regular season is uncertain due to a leg injury, Benson would have a chance to play a major role in Cleveland right away. Benson is a forced missed tackle waiting to happen, has outstanding speed (4.39), and possesses strong pass-game characteristics.

Although Berry made moves this offseason that appear to knock them out of the running back market, at least early on, Chubb’s injury is a concern. Added to assist with kick returns, Nyheim Hines is also a useful player when it comes to catching passes out of the backfield. Running back D’onta Foreman is a hard worker who can withstand pressure on early downs.

Cleveland also had Pierre Strong and its starting quarterback from the previous season, Jerome Ford, as free agents. The Browns usually only carry four running backs on the roster, but with Chubb back, they will have five guys that should be there.

Looking at the choices made after pick 54, it would have been wiser to take WR Troy Franklin, DT Maason Smith, WR Ja’Lynn Polk, DE Adisa Isaac, TE Theo Johnson, and WR Malachi Corley—the YAC king who has visited Cleveland—at more vital positions.