Cleveland Browns: Why Colin Cowherd is right about Nick Chubb
By Joel W. Cade
Why Cowherd is wrong
Why is Cowherd wrong about Nick Chubb? Colin Cowherd is wrong about everything. But there are reasons to believe that Nick Chubb will not be the offensive rookie of the year. This does not mean Chubb will not be a good or even outstanding running back. His play may not rise to the level of offensive rookie of the year.
First, Chubb is currently third on the depth chart. The Browns invested a large amount of money in former Ohio State running back Carlos Hyde. Hyde was recently ranked number 96 on the NFL’s top 100 players.
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Hyde is experienced, has good vision and can catch out of the back well enough for the position. Give the Browns currently strategy of bringing in veterans to mentor rookies, it seems Hyde’s role is to be a mentor and starter until Chubb is ready.
Here is are Chubb’s plays versus Notre Dame last season. Notice Chubb’s vision to the hole and his ability to redirect in the hole:
Second, the Browns have an explosive third-down back in Duke Johnson. No matter how good Nick Chubb can be, a specialty weapon like Johnson will be on the field on third down. Johnson can run routes out of the slot as a receiver, he lines up wide as a receiver and can pass block when called upon. This is all before talking about his vision and explosiveness as a running back. Only his small size keeps him from being a featured back.
In all, Nick Chubb has a large ladder to climb to reach the point where he will get 15-20 carries and maybe 3-5 targets a game. He must leapfrog both Hyde and Johnson for snaps. Barring injury, Chubb is in for a season of relief duty. It is hard to win AFC offensive rookie of the year from the bench.
But Cowherd may be right, let’s see why.