Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry has a self-imposed mandate to make a “heavy investment” into the offensive side of the ball this offseason.
Berry actually started that investment a year ago when he drafted running backs Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson, and signed Raheim Sanders. That trio, led by Junkins, combined for 1,557 yards from scrimmage and 10 of the team’s 26 touchdowns on offense.
The Browns are likely comfortable going into the season with the status quo at the position,
especially if Judkins is fully healed from the leg injury that ended his rookie season after 14 games.
But if Berry decides to add some more competition to the room, then he may take a look at Arkansas running back Mike Washington Jr. on Day 2 of the draft.
Name: Mike Washington Jr.
Position: Running back
Height/Weight: 6-foot-1, 223 pounds
College: Arkansas Razorbacks
2025 Rushing Stats: 12 games, 1,070 rushing yards, 6.4 yards per rush, 8 rushing touchdowns, 89.2 rushing yards per game
2025 Receiving Stats: 12 games, 28 receptions, 226 receiving yards, 8.1 yards per reception, 1 receiving touchdown, 18.8 receiving yards per game
Career Rushing Stats: 51 games, 2,914 rushing yards, 5.0 yards per rush, 26 rushing touchdowns, 57.1 rushing yards per game
Career Receiving Stats: 51 games, 73 receptions, 470 receiving yards, 6.4 yards per reception, 3 receiving touchdowns, 6.4 receiving yards per game
Average “Big Board” Position as of Publishing Date from Mock Draft Database: 66th overall, projected third round
The Draft Network’s Grade/Round Value: Round 2 – Winning Starter
What an Expert is Saying
Washington made stops at three different colleges and showed improvement with each move to a new school. He’s fast with loose hips and adequate agility. He’s not very sudden in tight quarters and is a step slow to see it and go when the hole opens. He can glide and swerve around interior traffic once he’s on the move, though. He has breakaway speed in the open field and is capable as an inside/outside runner. Running to his size with a greater degree of aggressiveness will be the key as he makes the jump. Washington has the traits and talent to become a solid rotational back.
What an Expert is Saying (Bonus Round):
Washington is an ascending back with a rare blend of size, burst, and speed, and he’s coming off a breakout season at Arkansas. He posted the fastest 40 and 10-yard split times among running backs at the combine, and while he doesn’t always look like he has 4.3-second 40 speed on tape, he averaged 6.4 yards per carry in 2025 and is a threat to go whenever he gets a seam. He’s a patient runner who hugs blocks and makes late cuts, and he has an outstanding start-stop ability, especially for a back of his size. He freezes defenders with hesitation moves and accelerates once they are caught flat-footed. He quickly reaches the edge on outside zone runs.
He runs with a narrow base but can break tackles with good contact balance. He’s strong enough to lower his shoulder, run over defenders in space, and push the pile when he doesn’t get a seam. He is a high-cut runner with some tightness in his hips, and he tries to make too much happen on occasion. He’s fumbled seven times in the past two seasons, though he’s lost only two of them, according to PFF.
It’s difficult to find a good comparison for Washington’s size and speed. His game has shades of Kenneth Walker III; they are both powerful runners with great speed, and there were also concerns about Walker’s pass blocking coming out of college.
Fit with the Browns
Cleveland has numerous roster holes to fill, so it feels unlikely that Berry will select a running back. And it is almost certain that he won’t pick one in the first round, no matter how appealing Jeremiyah Love might be.
But depending on how things shake out in the second round, he could be tempted by Washington, who is starting to gain traction as the draft draws closer. He may not be a No. 1 running back, but the Browns already have Judkins for that role. However, like Judkins, Washington is weak in pass protection, and teams can’t afford to have too many of those players in the backfield.
If Washington continues to trend upward as a potential second-round selection, then the Browns are likely out. But if he is still there in the third round, Berry may take a hard look at improving the quality of the running back group.
Browns Player Drafting Could Impact
Quinshon Judkins is the No. 1 running back as long as he does not have any complications from his leg injury in 2025. Everyone else? Take your pick from Ahmani Marshall, Dylan Sampson, or Raheim Sanders.
Priority: Medium Low
What are your thoughts on Mike Washington Jr.? Do the Browns need another running back over other positions? Let us know in the comments!
