Isaiah Crowell

Crowell was expected to compete for the starting running back job in Oakland after signing a one-year contract worth up to $2.5 million this offseason, but he underwent surgery to repair a torn Achilles in early May and will spend the 2019 campaign on injured reserve. There's a chance that Crowell lands elsewhere in 2020 upon his eventual return to full health, especially given the Raiders decision to select Alabama product Josh Jacobs with the 24th overall pick in this year's draft. Crowell averaged a respectable 4.8 yards per carry and added six touchdowns on the ground during his lone season with the Jets in 2018, but the 26-year-old has yet to record a 1,000-yard rushing campaign.

The Browns made it clear in the offseason they intended to upgrade their backfield - eventually signing Carlos Hyde and drafting Nick Chubb - so Crowell took the hint and signed with the Jets as a free agent. While he isn't the most dynamic runner and failed to put together a 1,000-yard season in Cleveland, he never missed a game in four years and gives the Jets a stable presence atop the depth chart, something they'd been lacking with Matt Forte. Crowell's best asset is his acceleration, as he hits holes and gets to the second level quickly, but then lacks the top speed or elusiveness to take full advantage. He showed flashes of three-down potential in 2016 and could produce interesting numbers if he gets more opportunities as a receiver, but more likely he'll be in a timeshare alongside Bilal Powell, with coach Todd Bowles riding the hot hand.

The 24-year-old put together his best NFL campaign in 2016, rushing for nearly 1,000 yards while making an impact in the passing game, and as a result Crowell will head into this season firmly established as the No. 1 back in Cleveland. While he didn't have much of a reputation as a game-breaker prior to last year, he finished in the top 10 in the league in runs of 15 yards or more and average yards after contact per touch, a combination which led him to a career-high 4.8 YPC. It's possible Crowell just needed some time to mature following a checkered college career that saw him kicked out of Georgia due to off-field issues. On the field, he shows good vision and patience, and while he doesn't have elite speed or elusiveness, he does have the burst to get to the second level when he finds a hole. The offense around him does him no favors, though the Browns did sign guard Kevin Zeitler away from the Bengals to upgrade an offense line that was already the team's relative strength. Duke Johnson figures to have a key role on passing downs and as a chance-of-pace runner, but Crowell managed four 100-yard games last year under similar circumstances, and if he remains focused and motivated he should be able to produce once again.

If you're looking for splashy highlight plays, Crowell isn't your guy. Of the 34 RBs who topped 1,000 total rushing yards combined the last two collective seasons, Crowell has the fourth-worst average rush (3.94). He's a meat-and-potatoes back, someone who looks to find a little daylight in between the tackles, take what's available and get to the ground. Mind you, you can accrue a modest amount of fantasy value if you do that enough times. Crowell has landed just inside the top 30 in basic scoring at RB the last two years, grinding along in his unexciting way. He's boosted his haul with 13 touchdowns. The Browns are likely to use Crowell and Duke Johnson like they did last year, but we're a little more excited about that duo because Hue Jackson — a noted rushing-game whisperer — has taken over the head job.

An undrafted free agent last year, Crowell found himself with consistent work in the season's second half after the Browns gave up on Ben Tate. He formed an adequate backfield tandem with fellow rookie Terrence West, using his vision and elusiveness to tear off some big runs while West did the dirty work in the trenches. Crowell doesn't break many tackles or run away from tacklers, and he isn't an asset as a receiver or in pass protection, but he's tough to square up and can use his impressive initial burst to get to the second level. He should also benefit from running behind a good offensive line, albeit one that struggle with allowing penetration last season. Cleveland used a third-round pick on Duke Johnson, who will likely make an immediate impact as a receiver while Crowell and West compete for early-down work. Although touted as the favorite to start in Week 1, Crowell has plenty of competition for touches.

Crowell will compete for a reserve running back role with the Browns in 2014. He'll have to fight off the likes of Edwin Baker, Dion Lewis and Chris Ogbonnaya to earn reps behind primary backs Ben Tate and Terrance West.