Montario Hardesty Out for Year: Who Can Cleveland Browns Turn To?

After rookie Montario Hardesty tore his ACL in Thursday night’s game against the Bears, the Cleveland Browns were left with questions at the running back position.

The Browns still have Jerome Harrison, Peyton Hills, and James Davis on their roster, but the best option may be to sign a free agent.

Jerome Harrison is entering his fifth year in the NFL, all with Cleveland, and has started a total of eight games. Last year, he appeared in 14 games and averaged four yards per carry.

Peyton Hills is entering his third season out of Arkansas and his first season with the Browns. He spent the past two seasons with the Broncos, where he appeared in 26 games.

James Davis is in his second year out of Clemson, and he does not appear to be ready to start for the Browns.

Harrison is the best option out of the three current Cleveland running backs, but the Browns' best option may be Justin Fargas or Derrick Ward.

Justin Fargas was released a few days ago by the Denver Broncos, but spent the previous seven seasons with the Oakland Raiders. Fargas was one of the most underrated backs in the NFL, as he consistently put up good numbers behind an awful offensive line. The third-round pick out of USC has averaged just over four yards per carry over his career and rushed for over 1,000 yards in 2007.

Derrick Ward is just two years removed from rushing for over 1,000 yards and was productive last year in Tampa Bay in a limited role. Ward can fill the hole in the Cleveland backfield and provide the Browns with a rushing attack that has been missing in recent years.

The NFL cut deadline is tomorrow, meaning a few more players will be on the free agent market. The Redskins are expected to cut either Willie Parker or Larry Johnson, and either one could be productive in the Cleveland backfield.