3 ways Cleveland Browns running backs can contribute more

Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt have been great for the Cleveland Browns but there are ways they can contribute even more going forward

The Cleveland Browns dynamic running back duo of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt have performed and managed to put together two strong seasons that have helped the Browns gain respect as a team and helped football analysts across the globe give the Browns more reason to believe that they have a legitimate run at the Super Bowl this season.

It’s hard to find too much more that either can improve on considering what they’ve been able to accomplish so far as one of the best tandems in the league now, and quite honestly one of the best in the history of the NFL. This past season the two running backs combined for over 2,362 yards of total offense, including contributing 23 touchdowns. Considering Hunt missed part of the 2019 season, and Chubb missed four games this past season, to project what these two could do this upcoming season, gives me goosebumps.

Browns fans have certainly had the pleasure of watching some other duos in the run game like Kevin Mack and Earnest Byner from the 1980s and before then, Jim Brown and Bobby Mitchell in the 1960s. Though some today may not believe the run game is as important to the success of NFL teams, I will always disagree with that, despite the data, and go with the good old eye test. When most watch the Browns play and the team is involving Chubb and Hunt in the game, we can see that the Browns are certainly a better team and far more likely to win games.

With this in mind, we know the Browns will have to involve Chubb and Hunt even more into the game plan each week if they are going to reach that elusive Super Bowl. Today, I look at three areas that the Browns should include Chubb and Hunt in more, in order to be more successful.

3. Involve Nick Chubb in the passing game more

We know what a great instinctive powerful running back Chubb is at this point in his brief three-year career. He ran for 12 touchdowns and over 1,000 yards despite missing 4 and a half games due to injury last year. Anytime Chubb touches the ball, the Browns have a chance at scoring a touchdown.

However, Chubb only had 16 catches during this past year. It was his fewest receptions in a season so far. In the playoff games this past season he was targeted more times then usual. The biggest reception was the one against the Pittsburgh Steelers when he scampered 40 yards off a dump pass from Browns QB Baker Mayfield in the 4th quarter over the blitzing Steeler defenders.

If the Browns can get Chubb involved more in the passing game and grab plus 30 receptions on the season, I think their opponents will continue to be more off balance defensively. The fine line for Chubb is still handing him the football for carries and expanding his role in the passing game.

His carries were down this season as well, obviously with the involvement of Kareem Hunt in the offense, but I believe this is a very big part of what the Browns offense should be focused on this season.