NFL Spin Zone
Fansided

Cleveland Browns: John Dorsey’s 5 best player additions

By Peter Smith

CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 10: New General Manager John Dorsey of the Cleveland Browns is seen with owner Jimmy Haslam before the game against the Green Bay Packers at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 10, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 10: New General Manager John Dorsey of the Cleveland Browns is seen with owner Jimmy Haslam before the game against the Green Bay Packers at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 10, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
CLEVELAND, OH – NOVEMBER 04: Nick Chubb #24 of the Cleveland Browns carries the ball during the first half against the Kansas City Chiefs at FirstEnergy Stadium on November 4, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – NOVEMBER 04: Nick Chubb #24 of the Cleveland Browns carries the ball during the first half against the Kansas City Chiefs at FirstEnergy Stadium on November 4, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

4. Drafting Nick Chubb 35th overall.

So much of the discussion in the months leading up the 2018 NFL Draft was the idea that the Browns should find a way to draft Saquon Barkley with one of their top four picks in the draft. Thankfully, sanity prevailed and the Browns didn’t take Barkley, instead coming away with Baker Mayfield and Denzel Ward.

The Browns still needed to address running back and get a good one, but their patience was rewarded. Taking the fourth running back in the draft after Barkley, Rashaad Penny and Sony Michel, the Browns got a stud.

More from NFL Spin Zone

While Barkley and Michel are more natural pass catching threats, Chubb was the best traditional running back in the draft. His strength and speed are outstanding, but his intelligence and vision as a back are what make him special. And despite suggestion to the contrary, Chubb isn’t useless in the passing game either.

Mayfield may be the engine that’s driving the Browns on offense, but Chubb has added more than a few horsepower since becoming the feature back. In just 100 touches, Chubb has 579 yards rushing and 48 yards receiving and six touchdowns. He also managed to set the record for longest run in team history at 92 yards and with six games left to play, he’s the first back since Adrian Peterson in 2015 to have three 40+ yard touchdowns in the same season.

The most impressive mark for Chubb is how well he does after contact. Presently, Chubb is averaging 6.2 yards per carry, which is a stellar mark, but he’s also averaging 3.7 yards after contact, which is half a yard better than the guy behind him in Marshawn Lynch at 3.18.

Chubb does so much for the Browns offense. He’s taking pressure away from Mayfield, opening up passing opportunities, but he’s also a threat to score at any time. When Chubb gets going, the Browns have had their best days on offense, including the recent domination of the Atlanta Falcons where the offense averaged 8.5 yards per play.

Home/Cleveland Browns