The Browns have resigned running back Dontrell Hilliard to a one year deal. Hilliard was an exclusive rights free agent. A player under this tag has three years or less accrued in the NFL and is unable to negotiate with another team if the original team offers a one year deal. So back to Cleveland, it is for the 25-year-old Hilliard. He will be fighting it out with D’Ernest Johnson for third back on the roster.
Hilliard was signed as an undrafted free agent out of Tulane on a $1.71 million three year deal. He was then cut by the Browns and resigned to the practice squad. In 2018 Hilliard would appear in 11 games for the Browns, making nine catches for 105 yards. He would also return 11 kickoffs for an of 24.0 yards per attempt.
In 2019, Hilliard moved into being the backup to Nick Chubb for the first eight games of the 2019 season, with Kareem Hunt suspended. He would appear in 14 games with 13 carries for 49 yards and two touchdowns along with 12 receptions for 92 yards(7.7 avg). Hilliard also returned 15 punts for 107 yards and 17 Kickoffs for 421 yards (24.8 avg). With the Browns, Dontrell Hilliard has been a productive player when used and a valued special teams player. That should give him the inside track to remaining the Browns third back.
Follow me on Twitter for more great content @WeirdJBronavich.
Be sure to check out our merch store powered by teespring.com and pick up something!
Discuss this and everything to do with sports at the Overtime Heroics forums!
