The Cleveland Browns addressed their woes in the running back room. After a full preseason where none of Demetric Felton, John Kelly Jr., Hassan Hall, or Jordan Wilkins stepped up to the challenge, the team went out and traded for Pierre Strong Jr. To acquire the running back who was actually drafted ahead of Jerome Ford in the 2022 NFL draft, the Browns sent offensive tackle Tyrone Wheatley Jr. to the New England Patriots.
As it sits now, the Browns have two young and explosive running backs in Ford and Strong Jr. behind their All-Pro Nick Chubb.
Here is how social media reacted to the move.
On the flipside, this also means the Browns only have 18 career carries behind Nick Chubb.
— Cory (@fakecorykinnan) August 27, 2023
New Browns RB Pierre Strong still has 3 years left on his rookie deal. (Same as Ford) he’s 24 years old and ran a 4.37 at the combine.
What a great addition for RB3. Love this move by AB. #DawgPound pic.twitter.com/9A2DzxIvgS
— Zach D (@ZachNoah52) August 27, 2023
Pierre Strong Jr. didn't play a ton last year but his performance against Arizona showed a great raw skill set.
5 rushes for 70 yards and a TD, plus 2 catches for 20 yards.
His speed and catching ability might allow him to be a solid backup to Nick Chubb. pic.twitter.com/6pBlcAu1Xe
— Ian Valentino (@NFLDraftStudy) August 27, 2023
Contract #Browns take on for new RB Pierre Strong
2023 – $870,000
2024 – $985,000
2025 – $1,100,000$0 guaranteed
Age – 24.7
RAS – 9.36 🔥 https://t.co/wGNwq8zCSU— Jack Duffin (@JackDuffin) August 27, 2023
#Browns Kevin Stefanski on adding RB Pierre Strong pic.twitter.com/dznRffbi6D
— Fred Greetham (@FredGreetham9) August 27, 2023
Pierre Strong Jr. has three years left on his rookie contract.
– 5’11” 212 lbs
– 9.36 RASCollege Stats:
– 631 carries
– 4527 rushing yards
– 40 rushing touchdowns
– 62 receptions
– 581 receiving yardsAndrew Berry found his RB3 #DawgPound. pic.twitter.com/6Of9UGBDyX
— Tyler Johnson (@T_johnson_TJ) August 27, 2023
Pierre Strong college highlights for any interested #Browns fans https://t.co/LHbdPIwe40
— Andrew Spayde (@AndrewSpayde) August 27, 2023
#DawgPound Pierre Strong among qualifying FCS RBs in 2021:
• 1,694 yards (2nd)
• 7.1 YPA (T-2nd)
• 47 explosive runs (2nd)
• 18 TDs (T-7th)
• 9.35 RASUnder contract for three seasons with around $1M cap hit each year. A quality depth/upside addition behind Chubb and…
— Cody Suek (@CodySuek) August 27, 2023
Best Ball managers holding 18th Round bags of Pierre Strong pic.twitter.com/iObCtoqqSl
— TheOGfantasyfootball (@TheOGfantasy) August 27, 2023
Pierre Strong was one of the top pure athletes in the 2022 NFL Draft class and averaged 7.2 ypc in his career at South Dakota State.
Runs w/ speed, tempo and controlled feet. Great feel for OZ. Has some KR experience. #Browns
40-yd: 4.37
10-yd: 1.51
VJ: 38"
BJ: 10'4"
3C: 6.95 https://t.co/PZYyLNRUWq— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) August 27, 2023
Pierre Strong, junior also threw four touchdown passes in his days at South Dakota State https://t.co/7FsAneCPq3
— Jeff-LJ-Lloyd (@Jeff_LJ_Lloyd) August 27, 2023
Pierre Strong can fly though https://t.co/g6Xb52Uw3Z
— Branden Gilbert (@Branden_Gilbert) August 27, 2023
When you have both Pierre Strong Jr. and Jerome Ford on your dynasty team pic.twitter.com/KykJYfrML7
— Luke Easterling (@LukeEasterling) August 27, 2023
Pierre Strong's best moments from last night (featuring nice blocks from Chasen Hines and Malik Cunningham) pic.twitter.com/avVZrNW4Pq
— Taylor Kyles (@tkyles39) August 26, 2023
Such a great trade for the #Browns.
Pierre Strong has A LOT of potential, especially as a pass catcher.
Not only a RB that a lot of analysts had ranked higher than Jerome Ford in the 2022 draft, but also won’t cost them more than $1.2M/yr for the next 3 seasons. #DawgPound
— Matt Wilson (@CoachWilson66) August 27, 2023
"Pierre" and "Strong" are both very high level names. This feels like it had to be a no brainer.
— Paul Spencer (@spencer212) August 27, 2023
The Patriots all summer have been looking to add someone at the RB position – or so we thought.
They had Pierre Strong. They just gave him away.
Slow down on how impactful he’s going to be elsewhere. He didn’t help a team begging for RB depth.
— Brian Drake (@DrakeFantasy) August 27, 2023
Pierre Strong got a whopping 10 carries last year as a Rookie. He ran for 100 yards, forced 3 Missed Tackles, had a PFF run grade of 83.8 and looked explosive on those carries. https://t.co/ew8RZntlE4
— Marcus Whitman (@TFG_Football) August 27, 2023
The Browns being able to flip Tyrone Wheatley Jr. into another player that was a 4th round pick in 2022 is wild. https://t.co/XQbdvEGrRY
— Colb (@___Colb___) August 27, 2023
Liked what I saw from Tyrone Wheatley Jr. in only his second year as a tackle. Didn't think he could get to the practice squad, so might as well trade him.
— Pete Smith (@_PeteSmith_) August 27, 2023
