Cleveland Browns: Taking a deeper look at the running backs

Carlos Hyde

The Browns signed Hyde to a three year, $15 million deal this offseason to be the expected starter in 2018. Hyde is a downhill runner that excels when running out of the shotgun.

As most NFL offenses run their offense out of the shotgun, having a running back that can excel out of the shotgun is a huge plus.

Hyde doesn’t have the breakaway speed that always makes him a threat to break a big run. But his physical running style will wear defenses out later in games that can lead to some potential big runs.

Hyde can also catch the ball out of the backfield. Last season was Hyde’s best season as a reciever, catching 59 passes for 350 yards. In his career, he has a 71.7 catch percentage, showing that he has reliable hands. With Johnson, Hyde will not be needed as a third down back, but he has those capabilities.

In 2018, Hyde will likely get the majority of the team’s carries. But with Johnson and Chubb, he will not carry the ball 20 times a lot of games.

Nick Chubb

The Browns drafted Chubb in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Some suspect that if he shows potential during the 2018 season that he will eventually replace Hyde as the starter.

More from Dawg Pound Daily

• Cleveland Browns critics continue to misplace their judgement
• 3 Cleveland Browns players who don’t deserve another season in 2023
• How the Browns could maximize Nick Chubb in 2023
• Can Deshaun Watson get to Patrick Mahomes level for Cleveland Browns?
• 3 Cleveland Browns who should see an expanded role in 2023 and 1 who should not

He is a very similar player to Hyde. Both are powerful downhill runners that do not have great long speed. Chubb uses excellent footwork to manipulate running lanes and create options for him to run through.

Unlike Hyde, however, is Chubb is not as good of a pass catcher out of the backfield. Chubb caught 31 passes for 361 yards and four touchdowns in his four seasons at Georgia. But after catching 18 passes for 218 yards his freshman season, he only caught 13 passes for 146 yards the three other seasons.

After posting such good numbers his freshman season, it was odd for the Georgia coaches to not feature him as a receiver at all. Although there were running backs like Sony Michel who were better pass catchers, it’s odd how little his hands were used.

But in Cleveland, Chubb will not need to show off his hands as Hyde and Johnson can catch out of the backfield. He will primarily used as a rotational back to spell Hyde when either he is sturggling or tired. But if Chubb plays well for most of the season, he could later replace Hyde as the starter.