Cleveland Browns: Taking a deeper look at the running backs

After a busy offseason for the Cleveland Browns, what will the running back room look like? And what roles will the running backs have in 2018?

The Cleveland Browns are going to have a different group of running backs in 2018 and they will be used differently than the running backs were used in 2017.

Last season, the Browns primarily used the duo of Isaiah Crowell and Duke Johnson. But after the departure of Crowell, the Browns were forced to find a replacement for him.

The Browns chose to add Carlos Hyde and Nick Chubb, opting for a likely a three running back committee with those two and Johnson.

All three of those players have different styles as running backs, which will cause them to be an interesting combination.

Other than those three players, there is also second-year running back Matthew Dayes.

Although Dayes did not have a huge role with the team in 2017, there were moments where he showed potential. But with two new running backs on the roster and Johnson on the team and a new regime, Dayes may not have a spot on the roster.

But with the big moves of the offseason finished and teams beginning OTA’s, it is a good time to take a deep look at the Browns roster, starting with running back room.

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.

Duke Johnson

Johnson has been the subject of a lot of questions this offseason. Whether it be if he will come to an agreement with the team on a contract extension or what exactly his role will be this season. But one thing is certain, Johnson is too talented not to be on the field.

More from Browns News

• 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

Johnson will likely be used in a variety of ways, similar to how he was used last year. With the Browns having a lot of questions surrounding their number three wide receiver, Todd Haley may look at using Johnson as his pseudo number three receiver.

He can be lined up in the slot or on the outside, but oftentimes he will be picked up by a linebacker or a safety. Because of his quickness and excellent footwork, any defender that is not a cornerback is in a mismatch against Johnson.

Other than his receiving abilites, Johnson has shown that he can be a very good runner. He averages 4.2 yards per carry over the course of his three year career.

Being a much quicker and faster runner, he is a different running back compared to Hyde and Chubb. Haley can bring him in to take advantage of a defense that has been dealing with the two physical runners and are unable to keep up with the speed of Johnson.

He may not get a lot of carries in 2018, but he will get a lot of touches. He was the team’s best playmaker last season and he has the dynamic abilities to change games, either as a runner or as a receiver.

Matthew Dayes

Dayes did not have a huge role in his rookie season, getting only five carries for 13 yards. He was featured more as kick returner than as a running back, returning 18 kicks last season.

He showed in last year’s preseason that he can play well in the similar play style to Johnson as a do-it-all back. But with three running backs that are going to receive a lot of playing time, there may not be a spot on the roster for Dayes. Danny Vitale will likely make the team as the fourth running back, although he will be the fullback.

Next: Does John Dorsey want to extend Duke Johnson?

There will be a lot of competition for the final roster spots across the entire roster, so Dayes will have to show a lot in the preseason to make the roster. If Dayes can show that he can excel as a kick returner, that will be his best route to take to make the final 53-man roster.