The Cleveland Browns are considering a significant move before the upcoming NFL season by targeting veteran running back Cordarrelle Patterson from the Atlanta Falcons.
Patterson’s Situation in Atlanta
In Atlanta, Patterson finds himself buried on the depth chart, trailing the No. 8 overall pick Bijan Robinson and second-year back Tyler Allgeier, who exceeded 1,000 rushing yards last year. The Falcons designated him as “J” on their opening day depth chart, a designation potentially implying versatility, as suggested by Patterson.
Despite initially being a wide receiver, Patterson has seamlessly transitioned into a running back role in Atlanta, becoming a crucial part of the Falcons’ offensive strategy. Last season, he achieved a career-high of 695 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on 144 attempts while also contributing 21 receptions for 122 receiving yards.
Browns’ Need for Patterson
The Cleveland Browns, lacking proven depth behind star running back Nick Chubb, are in need of a veteran with strong pass-catching abilities, making Patterson an appealing fit for the team, as noted by Bleacher Report.
Bleacher Report’s David Kenyon stated, “Patterson is suddenly No. 3 on a talented depth chart. Greater opportunity could be found on the Cleveland Browns, and the AFC North team is thin at the position after star Nick Chubb.” Cleveland currently relies on second-year players Jerome Ford and Pierre Strong Jr. as reserves, and Patterson’s addition would inject much-needed versatility into their backfield.
Browns’ Confidence in Jerome Ford
While the Browns have expressed interest in Patterson, they have also exhibited confidence in Jerome Ford, their primary backup to Chubb, who is capable of contributing on third downs.
Stump Mitchell, the run game coordinator and running backs coach, praised Ford’s versatile skill set, which includes pass protection, an area of focus during spring preparations. Ford dealt with a hip injury during training camp but remains ready to embrace any role assigned by the team.
“I don’t know the role yet, but whatever role I’m given, I’m ready to do,” Ford stated on August 31. “Our coach has been preparing all of us for everything, whether it’s assisting Nick on the sideline or performing various tasks as needed.”
Nick Chubb Remains Browns’ Workhorse
While depth is valuable, the Browns boast one of the NFL’s most reliable running backs in Nick Chubb, who rushed for 1,525 yards and 12 touchdowns last season. Chubb has consistently exceeded 1,000 rushing yards in each of his four seasons and maintains an impressive career average of 5.2 yards per carry.
The Browns are expected to adopt a more pass-heavy offensive approach this season. However, this adjustment does not necessarily equate to fewer touches for Chubb; rather, he anticipates a more significant role as a pass-catcher, which he eagerly embraces.
As the Cleveland Browns prepare to kick off their season against the Cincinnati Bengals on September 10, they face critical decisions regarding their running back depth and the potential acquisition of Cordarrelle Patterson in their pursuit of a successful campaign.
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