The Browns placed a second-round RFA tender on Isaiah Crowell but are seeing teams debate potential pursuits of the fourth-year running back. At least three teams have inquired about Crowell, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com (on Twitter).
It would cost another team a second-round pick to pry Crowell from Cleveland. However, the Browns under their Sashi Brown– and Paul DePodesta-headed leadership have prioritized draft capital. They traded down multiple times from their No. 2 overall perch during the 2016 draft and played a part in a historic trade for Brock Osweiler last week to acquire a second-round pick. So, seeing a team sign Crowell to an offer sheet might interest the Browns despite the team placing that second-round tender on their starting ball-carrier.
Crowell turned in his best season in 2016, rushing for 952 yards and seven touchdowns for the 1-15 Browns. He did so despite the team losing both of its starting guards — Joel Bitonio and John Greco — as the woeful season went along. The Browns also lost Alex Mack and Mitchell Schwartz to free agency and experienced a litany of quarterback injuries, but Crowell’s 4.8 yards-per-carry mark resided as by far his career-best figure.
How fast can we trade him for a second rounder.
Wouldn’t be a trade. He’s a RFA. But I hear you. Just imagine, from UDFA to a 2nd?
Come on Shasi, pay the man, he deserves the money. Don’t forget, FEED THE CROW.
Paying him would be a bad idea. He’s had one good season.
He can easily be replaced.