Isaiah Crowell Reportedly Given a 2nd-Round Tender by Browns

The Cleveland Browns placed a second-round tender on running back Isaiah Crowell, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reported Tuesday.

Rapoport noted the two sides are hoping to eventually replace the tender with a long-term deal. Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal confirmed the report.

According to Rapoport, the tender is worth $2.81 million. Crowell was a restricted free agent in 2016, per Spotrac, and Pro Football Focus gave him a grade of 70.8 in its free-agency tracker.

Despite the solid but unspectacular grade, Crowell took significant strides from a statistical standpoint last season, which was his third in the league. He finished with a career-high 952 rushing yards and became more of a receiving threat out of the backfield than in his previous two years:

Season	Games	Rushing Yards	Rushing TDs	Yards per Carry	Receiving Yards	TD Catches
2014	16	607	8	4.1	87	0
2015	16	706	4	3.8	182	1
2016	16	952	7	4.8	319	0

This move also maintains some continuity in the backfield in head coach Hue Jackson's system as Jackson starts his second year with the team.

Crowell also pairs nicely with the shiftier Duke Johnson, who has 1,048 receiving yards in two seasons. Crowell checks in at 225 pounds and is frequently physical in short-yardage situations and at the goal line, as his 19 rushing touchdowns in 48 career games indicate.

Durability is another key with Crowell, as he has never missed a game in his three-year career.

He is just 24 years old and coming off a season that saw him make noticeable improvements. If he continues that ascension as he enters his prime, Crowell will help the Browns' rebuilding efforts as they look to bounce back from their dismal 1-15 effort in the 2016 season.