Cleveland Browns running back tandem tabbed as NFL’s best

It’s no secret that the Cleveland Browns have quite the duo of backs

As fans of the Cleveland Browns are well aware, their tandem of running backs is a big-time pairing. Last season, which was the first where we saw a full year of Kareem Hunt with Cleveland, he made his presence felt, both on the ground and as a pass-catcher.

He had 841 rushing yards in 2020 as mostly the spelling back to Nick Chubb, and Hunt’s ability to make defenders was often on display, both via power and with his make-you-miss prowess. He had a healthy six rushing touchdowns as well, further proving his impact on games when given his opportunities to shine on the ground.

Additionally, as was noted, Hunt is a highly capable pass-catching option for Baker Mayfield and Cleveland, which aids the Browns’ efforts in moving the chains, for one, and in the red zone.

The Toledo product, and former megastar at nearby Willoughby South High had 38 receptions for 304 yards, to go with five receiving touchdowns in 2020. And we should see more of that sort of thing from him next season via check-downs/option routes perhaps at times and screens.

From there, what Chubb has been able to for Cleveland speaks for itself, frankly.

He was second in the NFL in rushing yards in 2019 with 1,494, for one, and last season, wasn’t too shabby, either. He had a cool 1,067 yards in 2020 despite missing four games due to an MCL sprain, and as noted by Pro Football Focus’ Fantasy Football Twitter account, was in large part, very efficient with his rushing touches last season once again.

He was second among those who qualified in yards per rush (5.6) last season, and he should be primed for a big year once again in 2021.

So what’s the reasoning for the refresher on these big-time backs for the Browns?

A recent piece by Bleacher Report’s Maurice Moton ranking the top five running back tandems entering the 2021 NFL Draft, which first prefaced the piece by hitting on potential pairings following the draft, had Cleveland’s as the best in the league.

The list had the Indianapolis Colts’ of Jonathan Taylor and Marlon Mack at No. 5, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ of Ronald Jones II and Leonard Fournette at No. 4, and the New Orleans Saints’ of Alvin Kamara and Latavius Murray at No. 3, to begin. From there, at No. 2, he had the Las Vegas Raiders’ of Josh Jacobs and now-Raider Kenyan Drake; the ranking of those said tandems are understandable, for what it’s worth.

On to the rationale for Cleveland’s being No. 1, though, Moton’s piece just reiterated how Cleveland’s is the best in the league currently, and they’ll be poised for another huge season to come in 2021.

That piece just highlighted how the Browns’ back tandem is the best.

The key gist of that from Moton was the following in referencing the production the two had last season, and that the proven commodity of the two based on that had them at No. 1 currently.

"“Last season, the Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt spearheaded the Browns’ third-ranked rushing offense, averaging 5.6 and 4.2 yards per carry, respectively. They’re the only teammates on this list to each eclipse 1,144 scrimmage yards in the same backfield. Unlike Josh Jacobs and Kenyan Drake with the Las Vegas Raiders, we know the Browns have a complementary duo.” — Moton, Bleacher Report"

Moton hit on Hunt’s receiving abilities from there as well, most notably, of which, to drive it home, often were a nice security blanket for Mayfield and led to his share of chain-moving plays/made the Browns in better shape for manageable situations.

Anyway, as we alluded to earlier, it’s clear that the Chubb-Hunt duo is among the best in the league, and to relay Moton’s sentiment, the best, really.

Now, one would imagine they’ll get their considerable share of touches game-to-game next season once again, albeit it’s evident that Mayfield, who closed the season really strong, will need to keep ascending for Cleveland to hopefully advance further.

The revamped defense, in regards to Jadeveon Clowney, as Myles Garrett expressed, could be “scary,” as DPD’s Randy Gurzi hit on; John Johnson III and Troy Hill play into that, one would think, too. And that should hopefully make a difference on the other side of the ball, anyhow.

Circling back, however, this recent piece by Moton/B/R was just another reminder of how Cleveland has quite the tandem of backs to lean on when needed. And one would think their/the offensive lines’ presence should once again aid Mayfield and the play-action/ideally vertical passing game throughout games.