Cleveland Browns: How Much Is Peyton Hillis Worth to the Browns?

 Since the NFL lockout was lifted, Cleveland Browns general manager Tom Heckert has spent most of his time locking up key players to long term extensions. Already this season, the team has agreed to deals with DT Ahtyba Rubin, TE Evan Moore, LT Joe Thomas, and most recently OLB Chris Gocong.

While all of these signings are important to the future of the franchise, the contract of another key player, maybe the most important of all, has yet to be signed. That player is Madden 2012 cover boy, and more importantly, Cleveland's starting running back, Peyton Hillis. 

Hillis is in the final year of his rookie deal that pays him $555,000 this season. If Cleveland is unable to re-sign him, he will become an unrestricted free agent.

So why the hold up?

Figuring out where to place Hillis on the running back pay scale is not an easy thing. While it is obvious he has outperformed his rookie deal, is it obvious to his representatives that he is also not in the league of Adrian Peterson or Chris Johnson type contracts? 

Peterson and Johnson have proven their talent, domination, and statistics in multiple years, Hillis has not. Until last season, nobody really knew who he was.

However, in his breakout 2010 season, Hillis showed a rare blend of size, speed, and skill that pushed him to over 1,100 yards rushing and helped him pound in 11 touchdowns.

Before last season, his career numbers were a measly 397 yards and six touchdowns, while getting limited duty with Denver.

Early this season he has 151 yards and two touchdowns on 44 attempts while trying to fill a role in the new offense. Given those numbers early, is Hillis a good fit in this offense? Is he going to match the numbers he put up in 2010? 

So many questions to ask and yet so little time to finish a deal.

If the Browns are going to extend Hillis, they need to do so soon. If Hillis does indeed match what he did last year—which as a Browns fan I hope he does—his price tag will only go up, which is why it is extremely important for Heckert to work a deal sooner rather than later.

Now of course these are just some random thoughts by a guy who ponders these types of things while trying to burp a two-month old, so you tell me, how much is Hillis worth?