Georgia Rookies Fit, Concerns and Predictions: Offense
Nick Chubb
Pick: Round 2, Pick 3
Team: Cleveland Browns
Fit:
It’s impossible to describe the lore Nick Chubb’s career at Georgia could have been if not for his horrific knee injury as a sophomore.
His freshman year looked like a true passing of the torch from Todd Gurley to Nick Chubb. He had great burst, agility, and stamina. He dragged tacklers for several yards. He wasn’t the type to outrun everyone, but his combination of strength and speed made him difficult to pull down.
Two years after his knee injury, Chubb started resembling his old self. The power came back as did some of the speed (but not all of it).
A Cleveland offense desperate for running production adds him to a backfield that will feature Carlos Hyde and Duke Johnson. Johnson is primarily a receiving back, so Chubb will compete with Hyde for carries.
Cleveland’s quarterback will likely be Tyrod Taylor for part of the year and Baker Mayfield for the rest (barring any injuries), so he will receive his share of carries. Chubb runs best when he is fed the ball and able to break down defensive lines with continuous push until he breaks it open.
On an offense that will experience growing pains with a rookie quarterback, Chubb does not turn the ball over.
His power makes him an ideal back in short yardage and goal line situations. He won’t break out as many 20+ yard runs as he had at Georgia, but he will make plenty of five to15 yard runs to satisfy a methodical game plan.
Concerns:
Chubb visibly took a step back following his 2015 knee injury. He looked slower and less agile in the open field. Although he bounced back in 2017 he never reached the form he held as a rookie and for the first half of 2015. Any further knee injuries could end any potential he has for a long-term, successful career.
Chubb may depend more on his power than his speed in the NFL, but recognizing holes will be just as crucial to his success. He needs to do better at recognizing those cuts and attacking them. Better vision will give him more success early in the game and wear down defensive lines quicker.
The Browns are not a patient team. Years of waiting and rebuilding has fans and management desperate to see production now. If Chubb starts games slow, as he tends to do, they may not have the patience to continue handing him the ball late in the game. A running back that thrives off of patience and redundancy needs an equally patient offense to support him.
Prediction:
Chubb will have the most impressive statistical season the 2018 Georgia alumni. Cleveland’s offense will rely on the run, especially once Mayfield takes over. Chubb will get his share of handoffs, limit his fumbles to one or two, and record seven touchdowns. He’ll come close to 1,000 yards rushing but fall a bit short.
By the end of the year, he could officially take the starting job from Carlos Hyde and be Cleveland’s starting running back for years to come.