Browns per-snap analysis shows Nick Chubb, WRs standing out

Snap count analysis reveals Chubb is dominant, Browns WRs trustworthy.

Analysis of the Cleveland Browns statistical performance shows interesting trends, particularly in regards to superstar Nick Chubb, and the Browns wide receiver corps as they have patched together an air attack with superstar wide receiver Odell Beckham, Jr. on the shelf due to season-ending knee surgery.

The usual stats are rushing attempts; rushing yards; rushing yards per attempt; receiving targets; receptions; receiving yards, total yards from scrimmage (rushing yards plus receiving yards), total offensive snaps (number of offensive plays the player was on the field for), catch percentage (receptions per target), and yards from scrimmage per snap (YFS divided by snaps).

Catch percentage, of course, is matchup dependent but tells the chances that the receiver will come down with the ball when Mayfield chucks it his way. YFSPS gives an indication of the damage the player is likely to do when the player is on the field.

It has built into it the tendency for the team to rely on that player to get the ball. So, for example, it probably doesn’t tell very much about the effectiveness of a blocking back such as Andy Janovich. His effectiveness is not measured by this stat; likewise, KhaDarel Hodge is almost like a blocking tight end, in the way he is often used.

That unique role has probably not received enough attention in the press. Both Janovich and Hodge are terrific players, but there is simply no substitute for the eyeball test to measure their blocking role.

What total snaps  tell us about the typical Browns offensive formations

First of all the snap count analysis tells us that over the course of the season the Browns five skill positions have usually been filled by two tight ends, with two back formations sometimes, and only occasionally are there three and four wide receiver sets.

BROWNS                      JETS

Running backs:    1.20          Running Backs:  0.97

Wide receivers:    2.12         Wide Receivers: 2.97

Tight ends:            1.63                  Tight Ends:  1.24

New York, on the other hand, love multiple wide receiver sets, but will also go with two tight ends sometimes. As will be shown below, the tight ends are used more often for blocking purposes than as receivers. The Jets usually go with one running back.

Let’s take a look at how this breaks down at the running back position next.