Cleveland Browns Bubble Player No. 1: Kareem Hunt
Believe me, I did not want to put this into writing, but it is certainly within the realm of possibilities that Kareem Hunt has already taken his last snap in orange and brown. That was as painful for you to read as it was for me to write. But here we are.
Hunt is entering the last year of his current deal and is the player that could generate the most in return if he were to be traded. The likelihood of Hunt sticking around increased slightly when he was not dealt during the draft. But it is very possible that a starting running back in the NFC goes down during OTA’s, training camp, or the preseason, and the Browns are made an offer too good to refuse.
However, Hunt is currently getting reps with Deshaun Watson and depending on how quickly the duo comes together could keep in Cleveland through at least 2021. Out of the returning players currently on the roster, Hunt and Chubb stand to gain the most from Watson’s game. Hunt in particular could be unstoppable with the way that Watson utilizes his check downs.
Even though he is not technically the Browns’ starting running back, Hunt is a player that moves the chains and scores often. In addition to possessing the best receiving skills out of the running backs, Hunt is also the most effective goal-line runner the team has.
It is this writer’s opinion, that if Hunt were dealt before he got to play on the field with Watson, it would be a move that the team and the fans would regret. But the NFL is a business first and everything else takes a back seat.