Browns' Isaiah Crowell: Draws second-round contract tender

The Browns have placed a second-round tender on Crowell in advance of free agency, the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Crowell is in line to become a restricted free agent on March 9, but in the meantime the Browns will look to ink the running back to a long-term deal. Assigning a second-round tender to Crowell all but assures that the Browns will retain the 5-foot-11, 225-pounder's services in 2017, a notion in line with coach Hue Jackson's assertions late last season that Crowell is "a key to (the team's) future." The 24-year-old rushed 198 times for a career-high 952 yards and seven touchdowns in 16 games this past season, while adding 40 catches for 319 yards. Meanwhile, backfield mate Duke Johnson logged 73 carries for 358 yards and a TD, along with 53 catches for 514 yards in that same span.