Who is Glenn Winston?
Until the release of Ben Tate on November 18th, the running back situation in Cleveland was extremely murky. Inserting Isaiah Crowell, Terrance West or Tate into your lineup was not for the faint of heart as each was just as likely to receive a couple touches as they were a couple dozen. Here we are nearly three weeks later, and to the potential chagrin of Crowell and West owners there is another running back worth considering for your dynasty roster and his name is Glenn Winston.
Of the trio in Cleveland’s backfield, the 25-year old Winston is actually the oldest by a couple years (West is 23 and Crowell is 21) which speaks to the difficult path he has taken to reach the NFL. After moving from Chicago to Detroit as a teenager, Winston earned a scholarship to play at Michigan State. In his freshman season, a fight between football and hockey players resulted in a three-game suspension and jail time for Winston. He was reinstated to the team in time for the final game of the season, though he only received two more touches as backup quarterback Kirk Cousins handed him the ball in garbage time. Incidentally, starter and current Cleveland teammate Brian Hoyer watched from the sideline.
What looked to be a promising return in his sophomore season ended with a torn ACL. His involvement in another fight on campus led to six months of jail time and complete dismissal from the football team. In his two years at Michigan State, he rushed only 63 times for 204 yards and two touchdowns while catching a single pass for six yards. He also served as a kick returner on special teams, but injuries and off-field issues led to a very disappointing tenure as a Spartan.
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Once out of prison, he worked his way back to school and the football field, this time at Division II Northwood University (NU). In eight games in 2013, he rushed 175 times for 717 yards (4.09 yards per carry) and nine touchdowns. He wasn’t much of a factor in the passing game as he caught only four passes out of the backfield, though this may be more reflective of the offensive playcalling than his skill set. Most importantly for Winston, after two jail terms, the 20-year old went a long way toward repairing his reputation during his single year at NU.
At his Pro Day, he ran a 4.69 40-yard dash, recorded a 36.5” vertical jump (which would have placed him tenth at the NFL Combine at the running back position), 10’2” broad jump (a top ten finish as well) and 7.30 3-cone drill. Despite a successful return to the field, as well as reports of workout times better than those recorded at his Pro Day (including a 40-yard dash closer to 4.50), Winston went undrafted in 2014. His phone didn’t ring in the hours or days following the draft either.
Finally, San Francisco worked him out in July and signed him after a strong performance. A month later, he carried the ball 19 times for 113 yards and a touchdown in the team’s final two preseason games. The 49ers liked him, though they didn’t have a roster spot with Frank Gore, Carlos Hyde, Marcus Lattimore and LaMichael James already in the mix. In retrospect, San Francisco management likely wishes they had been able to keep Winston on the active roster. Instead, they tried to stash him on their practice squad. However, the Browns claimed him on August 31st despite a deep backfield, guaranteeing he would find himself on a 53-man squad.
As his 6’2”, 220-pound frame suggests, Winston is a power runner who is difficult to bring down, though he also has deceptive speed and appears to be a strong fit for Cleveland’s one-cut zone blocking scheme. Thus far in 2014, Winston’s work has been limited to special teams coverage. However, week 14 may prove to be his first opportunity with the offense. With Tate gone, Crowell reportedly banged up and head coach Mike Pettine publicly shaming West for losing key fumbles, Winston may find himself with some touches as early as Sunday.
So, how should he be valued in the dynasty community?
Without a single NFL carry and a thin on-field track record compared to other rookies (not to mention his age and checkered past), Winston is surrounded by question marks. However, to his credit, here he is on an NFL roster and challenging a 2014 third-round pick for carries.
Though the Cleveland backfield situation became marginally clearer when Tate was released and Crowell seems to have been given the starting job for the foreseeable future, we know better than to think even Crowell has a hold on the job for 2015. I like Crowell as much as anybody, but fumbling has plagued the rookie at times this year and he is not guaranteed anything for next season. West is already in the doghouse with Pettine and has been less impressive than Crowell on the field. After the Browns have realized solid returns from Crowell and fellow rookie Taylor Gabriel, it is not far-fetched to think another undrafted free agent could challenge for a more prominent role in 2015.
Jim Harbaugh and the 49ers didn’t want to lose him and Cleveland’s front office and field staff alike have raved about Winston’s skill set. General Manager Ray Farmer went as far as saying “[Winston] is a great young running back, as talented or more so than the guys currently getting reps in front of him.” Coming from the top of the organization, there are likely additional motives behind this statement, but it contributes to Winston’s future promise and puts him squarely on the dynasty radar.
With talent and opportunity (as well as baggage apparently in the rearview mirror), Crowell and West owners should definitely try to find a roster spot for Winston. Whether out of the playoff picture or with an extra roster spot available, owners looking for high-upside options to stash for 2015 should consider adding the bruising running back.
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