Breaking down the 2020 Cleveland Browns: Running Back
By Greg Newland
After nearly winning the rushing title in 2019, Nick Chubb will out for revenge with the Cleveland Browns in 2020. Check out the remaining cast.
The 2020 season may not have gone the way the Cleveland Browns envisioned. Many starters had poor stat lines including Baker Mayfield, Odell Beckham, Rashard Higgins, and David Njoku. Some because of injuries, but many because of the non-existent flow of the offense in 2019. One exception to this list was running back Nick Chubb, who was second in the NFL in rushing and was the lone bright spot on the Cleveland offense last season.
After Freddie Kitchens was given play-calling duties mid-season of 2018, he and Mayfield seemed to have an instant connection. The offense appeared to move the ball at will up and down the field with running plays to Chubb and play-action pass to Jarvis Landry, Higgins, and Njoku. The offensive production later in the season is exactly what got Kitchens promoted to head coach in 2019.
7-9-1 was not enough to get the Browns into the playoffs in 2018, but the Browns were driving to take the lead late against the Ravens in week 17 before Mayfield would throw a game-ending interception. Many have moved on, but let’s not forget the game against Oakland that the referee stole from the Browns on a terrible overturned spot. Also, the classic Browns shooting themselves in the foot multiple times against Tampa Bay in overtime, that easily could have been a win.
Now that those dark times appear behind the Browns, look for the offensive to really cater to the running back position in 2020. After a disastrous year in 2019 on offense with Kitchens, the new look Kevin Stefanski offense will include a fullback for the first time in years.
Let’s hope an upgraded offensive line and powerful fullback will be enough to never allow a Buffalo Bills scenario from 2019 to happen again. The Browns had the ball at the one- or two-yard line for eight straight plays and failed to score a touchdown. That is not a recipe that will lead to many wins.
With the excitement around the Stefanski wide-zone scheme that features heavy running and play-action passes, let’s look at the Browns depth chart and how each player will be utilized.