The Cleveland Browns have bolstered their backfield by signing veteran running back Trayveon Williams to add depth amid ongoing uncertainty at the position.
The Browns announced the signing on Monday. Williams was originally selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He appeared in 68 games with the Bengals from 2019-24. Last season, he appeared in all 17 games for Cincinnati, playing exclusively on special teams. Williams has registered 307 yards on 62 carries over his NFL career.
He played his college football at Texas A&M. He put up three strong seasons with the Aggies, collecting 3,615 yards and 34 touchdowns. He was a first-team All-SEC selection during his final season, rushing for 1,760 yards and 19 total touchdowns.
The Browns are in need of some running back depth. Jerome Ford is currently the No. 1 back, with rookie Dylan Sampson and Pierre Strong Jr. also expected to factor into the ground attack. Cleveland recently signed former UFL standout Toa Taua.
Cleveland also brought in rookie tight end Mitch Van Vooren.
Jerome Ford Stepping Up for Browns Again
The Browns selected Ford in the fifth round of the 2022 draft. He was nearly an afterthought coming into the season, taking a pay cut to remain with the team. But now Ford is being asked to step up as a veteran lead back.
“He’s a guy that has the home run ability at any moment’s notice with his speed,” coach Kevin Stefanski said. “He’s gotten better over the course of his career. A bunch of different areas, including blitz pickup, the pass game, those type of things. … He’s a guy that we’ve won with, that we played well with. So we have a lot of confidence in Jerome.”
Ford previously stepped up when Nick Chubb missed significant time following a serious knee injury. He’s rushed for 1,382 yards and seven touchdowns over the past two seasons, logging 18 starts. Ford is embracing his latest opportunity.
“Most people look at it as we’re short on backs and we’re out there kind of tired, but our group, our coach, our team, we look at it as an opportunity for everybody else to get more reps, get better, dudes who usually wouldn’t get reps getting more reps,” Ford said. “And that’s how we look at it, an opportunity.”
Browns Rookie Quinshon Judkins Remains Unsigned
Part of the reason the Browns are searching for running back help is because of the situation with rookie Quinshon Judkins. He was arrested on July 12 and charged with misdemeanor domestic battery in Florida. The charge stems from an incident on July 7, in which he is accused of physically assaulting a woman during an argument that began at the airport and escalated in a rental vehicle.
Judkins is the only unsigned rookie in the league. He will likely face a suspension for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy. However, the league and the Browns have said they’re still gathering information, with Judkins’ legal situation still unfolding.
The Browns expected Judkins — a second-round pick — to be their “bell-cow” back. But his absence and uncertain future have opened opportunities for others.
“They’re maximizing their opportunities,” Browns offensive coordinator Tommy Rees said. “We get a chance to evaluate those guys with an extended amount of carries, and what schemes fit them the best, and how we balance those and how we continue to get them to grow in the others.”
The Browns’ first preseason game is scheduled for Friday against the Carolina Panthers.
