The Cleveland Browns are expected to address the running back position in the upcoming NFL draft and will be searching for a suitable backup for RB Jamal Lewis. The team would like to provide some competition at the backup position behind Lewis and possibly find his future replacement.

With the Browns not having a selection until the fourth-round this will make it difficult for the team to get their hands on one of the more highly touted running backs entering the draft. However, the team could have their eyes on a diamond in the rough in the later rounds, South Carolina RB Cory Boyd.

The 6-foot-0, 215-pound Boyd is a prototypical Browns running back. He’s a north and south runner who is tough to bring down and a determined ball carrier in short yardage situations. Boyd is a rugged inside runner. You rarely see him go down on initial contact. He has quick feet with good change-of-direction and outstanding peripheral vision to make nice cutback runs. He is very athletic with deceptive speed and is a reliable receiver out of the backfield.
 
After a fine performance at the Combine last month, Boyd is looking to improve his draft stock more so by impressing NFL scouts at the school’s Pro Day March 26. The Browns are expected to be represented at the workout.

Scouts have some concerns about Boyd’s character after sitting out the ’05 season as punishment by the team. Boyd identified the situation as him being immature.

“That’s all in the past,” Boyd said. “Hopefully somebody will give me a chance to go out there and show them who I am outside of football. When looking at film you can see my passion on the field, what I stand for, and how I play. Off the field, I just want people to understand that I am a grown man now and feel that there are a lot of things I still need to learn. I’m willing to learn those things and can definitely grow into a premiere back that a team would expect me to be.”

Boyd was given the option to sit out the ’05 season or transfer to another school. He could have taken the easy way out by transferring, but chose to take his punishment like a man and work his way back on the team. Boyd served his duty on the scout team and was a leader to the younger players not only on the field but off the field as well.

“I tried to do the best that I could while sitting out that year,” Boyd said. “I spoke to the young guys and dealt with my consequences without having to back talk any coaches or point the finger at others. I always pointed the finger at myself and I made sure that everyone knew and understood that it was me who did what I did. People embraced me for that and I was kind of shocked by it. I just hope the coaches understand that when they look at film.”

Boyd paid his dues and should be commended for his decision to stay at South Carolina, more importantly for persevering in life as a person. Since his return to the field, Boyd rushed for 1,726 yards and 17 touchdowns. He had an additional 809 yards receiving and three touchdowns.

NFL teams, the Browns being one of them, have been keeping a close eye on Boyd since his performance during the week of practice at the East-West Shrine game.

Boyd is a tremendous talent looking for a second chance to prove himself and will learn his fate on draft day.

See Boyd video here: http://www.bigcprofootball.com/video/

Cory Boyd Live on Pete Prisco: http://www.930thefox.com/cc-common/streaming_new/launchpage.html