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Cleveland Browns: Best 5 draft picks of the past 5 years

By Casey Kinnamon

Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward (21) intercepts a pass intended for Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) in the end zone in the first quarter of the NFL Week 9 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Cleveland Browns at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati on Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021. Cleveland led 24-10 at halftime.Cleveland Browns At Cincinnati Bengals Week 9
Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward (21) intercepts a pass intended for Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) in the end zone in the first quarter of the NFL Week 9 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Cleveland Browns at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati on Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021. Cleveland led 24-10 at halftime.Cleveland Browns At Cincinnati Bengals Week 9 /
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Cleveland Browns
Dec 12, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (24) pushes off against Baltimore Ravens cornerback Chris Westry (30) during the fourth quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports /

Cleveland Browns Draft Bullseye No 2: Nick Chubb

If you were going to build the perfect running back, what traits would be the most important? You would probably want some elite combination of agility, burst, power, vision, and top end speed. You would want Nicholas J. Chubb.

The Cleveland Browns hit the jackpot when they selected Nick Chubb in the second round of the 2018 NFL draft. The kicker is, he wasn’t even their first selection of the second round. Two picks prior to picking Chubb they whiffed on an offensive lineman prospect (that went on to have success elsewhere). But the important thing to focus on is that they hit on Nick Chubb.

It was evident from the beginning of training camp that Chubb simply had a different gear than the running backs ahead of him on the depth chart. Both Carlos Hyde and Duke Johnson were established backs, and Chubb was only going to get a handful of carries each game in order to spell Hyde occasionally.

Then the game in Oakland happened in Week 4. Now he still only got a handful of carries; three to be exact. But he rumbled for a staggering 105 yards and two touchdowns. There was no hiding Chubb after his performance that day.

Although, Hue Jackson tried to keep Chubb in a reserve role, his hand was forced when Dorsey traded Hyde away prior to Week 7. That transaction may have been the single largest addition by subtraction move in franchise history.

Through four seasons, Chubb has amassed 4,816 yards and scored 39 touchdowns. Chubb’s 5.3 yards per carry is the most by any active running back and only second all-time to Jamal Charles at 5.4. The trajectory that Chubb is currently on through four seasons puts him on the same path as some of the greatest players ever to run a football.

The stats and accolades can paint a picture of what Chubb is, but it can not define him. Chubb is a tireless worker who leads with his play on the field and only cares about winning. It’s easy for teammates to rally around someone like Chubb because he is truly selfless and is all about the team’s success. In short, Nick Chubb is the man, and the Browns are fortunate to have him.

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