Browns sign running back Jordan Wilkins

Needing running back depth, the Cleveland Browns have signed free agent running back Jordan Wilkins to a deal, according to reports. Wilkins appeared in four games in his second stint with the Indianapolis Colts last season, rushing for 58 yards on 13 carries with six receptions for 29 yards.

Cleveland took a chance by opting not to sign a veteran heading into this season to back up Nick Chubb. Instead, they went with a young group led by Jerome Ford. But an injury to Ford made an already thin group thinner, resulting in their decision to sign Wilkins. Ford is considered “week to week” per Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski. This could lead to the Browns moving on from Wilkins should Ford be ready to go at the start or early in the season.

Making sense of the decision to sign Wilkins

This situation comes down to needing a veteran running back to take some snaps. After Chubb, Cleveland’s running back room is very inexperienced. Demetric Felton, John Kelly, Hassan Hall, and now Wilkins are who make up that group. Excluding the 208 career rushes from Wilkins, only 48 total NFL carries are behind Chubb. The 32 of Kelly leads the way, but he did not register a carry last season.

The Browns have not addressed Chubb’s backup with a sense of urgency this season. After moving on from Kareem Hunt, Cleveland has been pretty quiet. A recent report states that Hunt’s representation and the Browns have held discussions, but a deal remains unlikely, according to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com.

It will be interesting to see if the Browns are aggressive on the trade market or look into any players cut by any teams before the season starts. Cleveland appears very comfortable with what they currently have, but that does not mean they should be. All it takes is the right player to come along for them to change their tune. The current crop of veteran free agent backs has not moved the needle all off-season, but that could change as more options become available.