Browns RB Ben Tate said he does not see third-round pick Terrance West as a threat to his job. "I'm not worried about that because I know when I'm on my game," Tate said, "there's no one that can really touch me or that's close to what I do." Tate probably is the best running back on the team when healthy, but the when healthy part has always been a problem. He has missed 24 games through his four-year career, and he ceded first-team carries to West during minicamp because he was "a little nicked up." Tate is the starter right now, but he will have to stay healthy to hold off the oncoming freight train named Terrance West.

Browns RB Ben Tate was "a little nicked up" during minicamp, but "took reps when he could." It's not at all a concern for Tate's training camp or Week 1 status, but a reminder that this is a player who has spent the majority of his career a "little nicked up." Tate has big-time RB2 upside in OC Kyle Shanahan's zone-blocking rushing attack, but is an obvious injury risk. Fantasy owners need to handcuff Tate with third-rounder Terrance West.

The Browns are expected to field a conservative, run-based offense while Josh Gordon is suspended. Come Week 1, the Browns could very well be starting a rookie quarterback with Jordan Cameron, Andrew Hawkins, Nate Burleson (arm), Greg Little and Charles Johnson as his receivers. It's an obvious recipe for OC Kyle Shanahan to ease in Johnny Manziel, pound the rock with this zone-blocking scheme and rely on an underrated defense that should improve under Mike Pettine. Ben Tate is going to get all he can eat, along with Terrance West and possibly Isaiah Crowell.

Ben Tate's contract with the Browns contains $750,000 in per-game roster bonuses. Due to durability concerns, the Browns structured the deal in a way that will keep Tate highly motivated to stay on the field. He got a $1.5 million signing bonus and a $1 million guaranteed base salary in 2014, and then will earn $46,875 for every game he's active. Those per-game bonuses are also in the contract for 2015. Tate has missed 24 games in his four-year career due to ankle, hamstring, foot and rib injuries.

ESPN Cleveland says the Browns' concerns about Ben Tate's durability led to a team-friendly two-year deal.

Browns agreed to terms with RB Ben Tate, formerly of the Texans, on a two-year contract. Tate was the best running back on the market, but the Browns were the only team to make a public run. Extremely injury prone through the first four years of his career, Tate's contract is expected to be incentive-based. Coming from the Texans' zone-blocking scheme, Tate is a fit for fellow ZBS OC Kyle Shanahan, but will have to prove he can stay on the field before anything else. Although Tate has impressive burst, his game lacks wiggle. He's a downhill runner who will need his blocking to click to have the breakout year many have long expected. Despite the question marks, Tate and his career 4.7 YPC have definite RB2 potential in 2014.

Free agent Ben Tate will sign with Cleveland today if he passes his physical. The proposed contract is performance-based, meaning Tate will have to stay on the field to get paid. That has been a problem for Tate in his career. He already has two IR stints in four years and struggled through several nagging injuries in 2013. When healthy, Tate has the talent to make a difference in an improving Browns' offense. He is on the RB2 radar for 2014.

Free agent Ben Tate is in Cleveland on Thursday for his Browns visit. The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports Tate's visit, originally scheduled for Wednesday, was delayed by weather. There's still a chance Tate signs on his first visit. Tate is our top free agent running back still available, followed by Andre Brown, Knowshon Moreno, Maurice Jones-Drew, James Starks, LeGarrette Blount, and Anthony Dixon. It's not a good year to be a free agent back.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports the Browns are hosting Ben Tate for a free agent visit. The free agent market has been established for running backs at three years, $10.5 million -- or at least that's what Toby Gerhart (Jaguars) and Donald Brown (Chargers) both received. Tate is still only 25 years old, and could be more willing to play on a one-year, "prove it" deal as a feature back in Cleveland. He needs to "prove" to teams that he can stay healthy for 16 games. Kyle Shanahan's rushing attack would be an excellent fit for his running skills.

Free agent Ben Tate said that when healthy he is a "top-five running back in this league." The when healthy is an important caveat. Tate already has two IR stints in his four-year career and has yet to survive a full 16 game slate despite playing primarily as a backup. Tate is the best available running back in an underwhelming class, but his injury history makes it unlikely he breaks the bank in free agency.