Daily Archives: May 30, 2023

Just how explosive is Nick Chubb?

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Nick Shook of NFL.com released his list of the Top 10 most explosive runners in the NFL and Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb finds himself in special company. Chubb comes in at sixth overall with an explosive score of 86. Noted are Chubb’s 47 rushes of 10 yards or more, the most in the NFL. Shook goes into detail noting that he was initially higher on the list before settling on six for Chubb.

“Chubb’s numbers remain impressive, but Cleveland’s offensive struggles certainly contributed to his sixth-place ranking on this list. Initially, I put him in the top three, partially because of his league-leading 47 runs of 10-plus yards. But a deeper look into his production reveals a symptom of Cleveland’s deficiencies: His success rate was lower than some of his peers on this list, due in part to Cleveland’s blocking giving him an expected yards per carry below four (3.8), and he received the second-most carries (302) among runners in this group. As many know, his top-end speed doesn’t quite stack up with some of the faster backs in this group, either — although his top gear packs some sneaky get-away burst.”

Shook also mentioned that Nick Chubb was the only qualifying running back to have 10 or more first downs over expected (14). This is in addition to his 22 rushes of 10 yards or more.

2022 was the best season in the five-year career of Nick Chubb. Chubb was dominant last season, rushing for a career-high 1,525 yards and 12 touchdowns (tied for career-best) in 17 games. The Browns offense has revolved around him in some capacity since being drafted and rightfully so. Chubb is one of, if not the best running back in the league. Utilizing an elite talent in this manner is just smart offensive strategy. Especially when that talent plays a position with relatively short shelf life.

Deshaun Watson would love to have DeAndre Hopkins in Cleveland

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DeAndre Hopkins to the Browns? Well, if Deshaun Watson was in charge it seems like it would be a reality. Watson said that he would love to have Hopkins in Cleveland in addition to stating that the two have kept in touch over the past years.

Watson also noted that it is out of his range of things, so this does not appear any type of Aaron Rodgers-esque situation with his pass catchers. Dictating who the team employs at the receiver position would be one heck of a power play from Watson considering how he looked last season.

Recent reports have stated that the Browns are not a major contender Hopkins at the moment. There is that saying about smoke and fire… until Hopkins signs elsewhere the connection with Deshaun Watson is going to keep the Browns at least mentioned as a possibility.

If Hopkins were to end in up Cleveland it would add to an already full receiver room. While the longterm presence of a few players is something to consider beyond just this season (Amari Cooper, Donovan Peoples-Jones), it would make evaluating their younger players, (such as David Bell and Cedric Tillman),a bit more difficult without them seeing meaningful playing time. But with this regime knowing they have to be substantially better this year or else they are out of a job, they could focus on the immediate impact that Hopkins would have on this team.

Trying to figure out where David Bell fits in

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It was not too long ago where the path to playing time was quite clear for second year receiver David Bell. Only Amari Cooper and Donovan Peoples-Jones were ahead of him on the depth chart and the Browns had needs in other areas that needed to be addressed. Cleveland still went out and added receiving options which will make things a bit more difficult for Bell to be a meaningful contributor in the passing game.

Cooper, Peoples-Jones, and Elijah Moore are the top three receivers on the depth chart. After that Cleveland will most likely utilize the services of Marquise Goodwin to stretch the field. With those four as top options at the receiving position in addition to the team using David Njoku at the tight end position, playing time will be hard to come by. All of this is before even mentioning that the Browns have the best running back in the NFL in Nick Chubb.

So where does David Bell fit in?

Right now he doesn’t. There is a reason why the Browns went out and traded for Moore, signed Goodwin, and drafted Cedric Tillman. Cleveland had certain needs at the receiver position that Bell is not able to help with at the current moment. There is also the rumors of DeAndre Hopkins being linked to the team. While Cleveland is not considered a major contender, the fact that the connection was made cannot be ignored.

Another fact that should not be discounted is just how active the Browns front office was in adding pass catching talent to this roster. If there was something they saw in Bell that indicated he could be a major contributor they would not have made the volume of additions at the receiver position.

Barring injury or anything else resulting in players missing time, there really is not a clear way for Bell to get a high quantity of snaps in 2023. Bell saw 47% of snaps last season, catching 24 passes for 214 yards in 16 games. Considering the new receiving options in Cleveland, it would not be all that shocking to see these numbers drop across the board.

Once Cooper and Peoples-Jones most likely depart after the upcoming season is the earliest that Bell could realistically have a real shot at playing time. That is if the Browns do not add someone else to leapfrog him and others on the depth chart by then.