We are one week away from cutdown day across the league and like many teams the Cleveland Browns have some tough decisions to make. As part of a series that I will be writing this week, I have identified several Browns players whose status with the team may be 'to be determined' this week and identify what they can do to make their case for the roster. First up is running back Demetric Felton.
Demetric Felton- RB
Felton has exclusively worked with the running backs throughout training camp and has looked quick in games with the ball in his hands. He has managed to lead the team in rushing while averaging 5.1 yards on 22 carries. In addition to the rushing attempts he has also caught 6 balls out of the backfield and returned a combination of 13 kicks.
The hits his body has absorbed have also piled up. As more of a scat back type as a smaller player, you wonder if absorbing that many hits from opponents who are trying to earn a spot in the league has slowed him down a bit over the last week or so.
For Felton there are two things that he must accomplish this week to solidify his spot on the roster. First, he must show that he isn't a liability in pass protection. This will never be a strength to his game but he has to be willing to take on more contact from players blitzing through the line to protect the quarterback.
Second, he could really help his cause by having a big return on either a kickoff or punt. He has been solid and looks more confident in fielding kicks but his average per return hasn't been great. His longest return was called back due to a penalty. If he could break a nice return this week, the team could feel better about possibly parting ways with Jakeem Grant.
I think Felton would be best suited in a role where he returns either kicks or punts along with having 2-3 snaps per game in the backfield with a package of plays the coaches feel comfortable with. To envision what he can be in this new look offense, perhaps we just need to remember what he did as a rookie, in the game against the Texans, where he caught a pass and made the defender miss with a spin move and took it all the way to the end zone.
We shall see if the team believes he is still capable of that kind of moment in a game. I still think the Browns could look to add to the running back room after cutdowns as well, which could then have them at four running backs on the roster. For Felton, being able to handle some return duties would help his cause.
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