Cleveland Browns: Carlos Hyde trade means Nick Chubb, Duke Johnson will finally get touches
By Randy Gurzi
The Cleveland Browns have struggled to find enough snaps for all their running backs, but trading away Carlos Hyde makes that a non-issue
This offseason, the Cleveland Browns gave former Ohio State standout Carlos Hyde a three-year deal to be their starting running back. After six games, they’ve shipped him off to the Jacksonville Jaguars for a fifth-round pick.
It was clearly an unexpected move as the Browns have used Hyde as their feature back in every game this season — with 14 carries in their Week 6 defeat against the Chargers being the least amount of rushes coming his way.
In all, Hyde had 114 carries for 382 yards and five touchdowns. While his yards per attempt (3.4) were less than ideal, Hyde did run hard and picked up many yards on his own with the Browns having issues with run blocking early on.
More from Dawg Pound Daily
- 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
- Is Marcus Davenport on the Browns radar in 2023?
- 5 Free agents from Super Bowl LVII Cleveland Browns should target
With that being said, this move isn’t about Hyde. The Browns front office isn’t moving on from him as a sign of his shortcomings, but rather a belief in the players behind him.
This includes veteran Duke Johnson and rookie Nick Chubb. Of the two, Chubb is more likely to be the featured back — should they continue to give the bulk of the carries to just one player.
So far this season, Chubb has 173 yards on just 16 carries, with two touchdowns. He’s averaging a whopping 10.8 yards per attempt. That number will go down the more times he carries the ball, but he’s proven to have more explosiveness than Hyde which is why the coaches want him on the field more going forward.
Speaking of big play ability, this move also allows Duke Johnson to see the field more. Duke has 111 yards off just 19 carries this season, but is also an accomplished lass catcher.
While Hyde is a trusted veteran — and will help the Jags who are without Leornard Fournette for the time being — the two remaining backs offer more potential.
Next. Is Hue Jackson the worst coach in all major sports?. dark
This move affords them more opportunities to reach that potential.