This will not come as a surprise in light of the team’s current wide receiver and running back depth charts, but Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reports that Demetric Felton will attempt to make the Browns’ roster as an RB. While Felton has worked with both the backs and receivers in his first two professional seasons, that versatility has not led to a guaranteed spot on the 2023 club.
Mere circumstance has played a significant role in Felton’s uncertain status. As a sixth-round pick in 2021, Felton was naturally facing an uphill climb to playing time to begin with, and the Browns’ skill position groups over the last two years have included high-profile talent like Nick Chubb, Kareem Hunt, Odell Beckham, Jarvis Landry, and Amari Cooper, along with players who were drafted sooner or in a higher round, like Donovan Peoples-Jones and Anthony Schwartz.
Still, Felton appeared in 16 games as a rookie and posted 18 catches (on 21 targets) for 181 yards and two TDs. He also saw extensive action as a return specialist, handling 32 punts and nine kickoffs. However, his role was dramatically reduced in 2022, as he played in just eight contests and earned four targets, one rushing attempt, and eight total returns. As such, Cabot believes that he is on the roster bubble.
The good news for Felton is that the Browns have parted ways with Hunt and fellow running back D’Ernest Johnson this offseason, so the RB3 job behind Chubb and 2022 fifth-rounder Jerome Ford is very much up for grabs (while the WR room remains loaded). The ability to focus on one position should also benefit Felton.
Ultimately, though his receiving prowess will likely be instrumental in determining his job security, Felton will need to prove that he is a capable ball carrier and blocker. In his junior year of college, the UCLA alum posted a 3.8 yards-per-carry rate on 86 rushing attempts, and as that figure would be poor by NFL standards, it is especially troublesome for a collegian. He did boost his YPC average to a much more respectable 5.1 in his senior year, so he may have the potential to be at least a competent runner at the professional level.
We recently heard that the Browns are likely to add a veteran RB, which would obviously impact Felton’s chances of making the team. One wonders if Cleveland will give Felton meaningful running back reps in training camp before making such an addition.
Felton is 3rd on the depth chart, the 4th RB is John Kelly Jr. I do not think Kelly’s 5 carries and 0 receptions over the last 3 seasons is anything to worry about. The 3rd RB spot should be Felton’s as long as the Browns do not bring in another veteran RB.
Cook, Zeke, Fournette, Drake and Mckissic are available.