How will the Cleveland Browns share the backfield?

The Cleveland Browns have a great problem on their hands with several good running backs, as long as they handle it properly

In football, a good problem to have is when you have ‘too many’ good players at one position. For the Cleveland Browns, that problem is their running back group.

Carlos Hyde and Duke Johnson both signed contracts this off-season and will be a part of the Browns for the future. Nick Chubb is a rookie from Georgia who was a part of a deep draft class at running back, and who has a legit shot at the starting spot. Finally, the forgotten man, Matthew Dayes, is the teams kick returner and showed some ability last season to be the answer on special teams.

The challenge will be how to divide snaps among the group. Each has a skill set that they are better at than the other and if used properly can be a serious advantage for the Browns.

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Duke Johnson is the fastest of the backs and arguably the best weapon among them. He went over 1,000 combined yards and seven total touchdowns last season. Not only is he a running threat, but his receiving ability both out of the backfield and the slot have been a serious mismatch for defenders. His efforts were rewarded with a 3-year $15.6 million extension and we expect more the same of him. He can be the team’s Darren Sproles and that would be a nightmare for the AFC North. Johnson might not be the guy who gets the bulk of the carries, like Hyde or Chubb.

It’s probably fair to say that a large majority of Browns fans are also Buckeye fans from The Ohio State University. Which makes Carlos Hyde one of the more popular signings this off-season.

Despite falling just a hair shy of 1,000 rushing yards, Hyde was able to eclipse 1,200 total yards, catch 59 passes, score eight touchdowns and was named the 97th best player in football, according to NFL Network.

His size and ability to run between the tackles makes him an ideal short yardage, goal line back while also providing just as much a reliable receiving option as Duke. In the Browns offense, I expect him to have similar responsibilities with the ball that Mike Alstott did, but with the possibility of being a three down back. Even if there may be a better option on the team.

A favorite of DPD writer, Joel Cade, Nick Chubb is a rookie straight from the University of Georgia. Strange to think a loaded backfield could be featured by a rookie, but Chubb has the combination of speed and power people want in a running back, who was drafted in a class of other complete, stud backs.

After Stanford’s Bryce Love announced his return, I jumped Nick Chubb from 5th to 4th in my running backs for 2018. He isn’t the receiver that his Bulldog running mate, Sony Michel, is but is every bit as dangerous with the ball in his hands.

Likely, he’ll get a shot at the starting job, likely splitting carries with Carlos Hyde, and probably not used as a receiver much. He’s good in blitz pick-up, so he’s likely a blocker in the passing game. 150-200 carries for him and Hyde would be a reasonable assumption at this point.

Matthew Dayes is the odd man out in the backfield. In 2018, he only had five rushes and four receptions out of the backfield. His biggest mark was and will be on special teams.

He finished last season with a 24.3 yards per return average, which would’ve been 6th best in the league, if qualified. He featured a few big returns, including a long of 71-yards, he actually out produced Jabril Peppers who was thought to be the main returner.

Dayes may not be an offensive fixture but he’s still going to be a much needed weapon in 2018. His return skills will be another position the team can relax on for at least a few Dayes

The Browns backfield will be a staple for the team’s success. Not only do each one have a role, but with a rookie quarterback, dumping off to the backfield will be common. Don’t be surprised if the running backs are used more than any other position group in 2018. Except this year, it’ll be a strength.