Pittsburgh Panthers running back Israel Abanikanda Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Browns should draft Pitt pro day star

By Aaron Becker | Last updated 3/30/23

The Browns aren't scheduled to make their first selection until the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft. However, they may still be able to add one of the more underrated prospects in the draft.

Cleveland should draft Pittsburgh RB Israel Abanikanda, who had himself a day to remember at his pro day Wednesday.

He ran a 4.3-second 40-yard dash, jumped 41 inches in the vertical jump and recorded 10 feet, eight inches in the broad jump. All would have ranked first among running backs at the NFL Combine.

Israel Abanikanda went OFF at Pitt’s Pro Day today.

Abanikanda reportedly ran between a 4.26-4.32 in the 40-Yard Dash, which would’ve been 1st among RB’s at the combine.

Abanikanda jumped 41” in the vertical jump, which would’ve been 1st among RB’s at the Combine.

And… pic.twitter.com/JaC2wFrBVr
— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) March 29, 2023

Abanikanda not only showed off in his measurables, but had a great 2022 season as well in which he rushed for 1,431 yards and a college football-best 20 touchdowns.

The 20-year-old could be a steal. He ranks as Pro Football Focus' No. 170 overall player on its big board and would be a perfect addition for the Browns, who have eight selections between picks No. 74 and 229.

Cleveland is in need of running back depth with Jerome Ford, who had just eight rushes for 12 yards in 2022, sitting behind Nick Chubb.

Chubb and Abanikanda could create quite the running back duo if the Browns do decide to move on from free-agent RB Kareem Hunt — and they could get him relatively late in the draft to get max value.

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