Cleveland Browns RB Peyton Hillis Makes Depth Chart Harder To Predict

Cleveland Browns running back Peyton Hillis is the definition of a "beast" on the football field.

"An inhumanly cruel, violent, or depraved person," is one of the definitions according to the dictionary.

The third year player from Arkansas who was completely overshadowed by fellow teammate Darren McFadden and Felix Jones was acquired by the Browns in the trade that sent former first round pick Brady Quinn to the Denver Broncos this past offseason.

Acquiring the halfback/fullback hybrid was a bit of a surprise move by many Browns fans since they already had 2009 break out running back Jerome Harrison set to lead the Browns rushing attack in 2010.

What many Browns fans didn't really know is how versatile of a player Hillis truly is and that is what head coach Eric Mangini loves most in any football player.

Hillis is 6'1" and 240 pounds, but he plays on the field like he is 6'10" and 350 pounds bowling over would-be tacklers who are much bigger than he is.

Look at how Hillis run through and dragged six opposing Rams defenders in the second quarter during the Browns' first touchdown drive.

Getting back to his versatility of which Mangini loves, Hillis can play so many different positions that he alone gives the offense depth and versatility since he can play either running back or fullback, tight end, and even line up as a receiver in both the slot and on the outside.

A 240-pounder with the hands of a receiver...who would have ever thought it?

Hillis is old-school in every way imaginable as a football player and if given the chance, he probably would line up as an inside linebacker if asked to as well.

The Browns went out and picked up Hillis and moved up back into the second round of this past 2010 NFL draft to pick Tennessee running back Montario Hardesty.

Add those too to a backfield that already had Harrison and 2009 preseason standout James Davis, plus fullback Lawrence Vickers, and the Browns have a mighty fine depth chart at the position.

The question looms now as to how that depth chart will fall into place.

Anytime you have to question how a depth chart will fall into place is usually a good sign of solid depth at a certain position.

With Hillis's strong (literally) performance against the St. Louis Rams where he led the Browns in rushing with 51 yards and averaging 4.3 yards per carry and Hardesty out all training camp and for half of the preseason now, the Browns may have a tough time actually lining up their backfield charts.

Browns fans need not worry, because a promising position at the end of the 2009 season is now much stronger going into the 2010 season.

(Also posted on Dawg Scooper: THE Cleveland Browns Blog)