The Cleveland Browns made significant upgrades in their passing game by adding quarterback Deshaun Watson and wide receiver Amari Cooper.
But even with those signings, the run game remains the core of the team’s offense, thanks to their solid offensive line and punishing backfield unit.
D’Ernest Johnson introduced himself when he had significant playing time due to the injuries of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt.
Meanwhile, the Chubb-Hunt Express remains one of the league’s top running back tandems.
While Hunt contributes in his own way, Chubb proves to be the consistent leader that powers Cleveland’s ground game, as demonstrated by this statistic shared by NFL on CBS.
Most seasons averaging 5+ yards per carry among RB over last 4 years
Nick Chubb 4
Jonathan Taylor 2
Derrick Henry 2
12 players tied 1*min. 150 rush attempts pic.twitter.com/EdALPY1LJv
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) April 4, 2022
The tweet said that Chubb had the most seasons averaging five yards or more per carry over the last four seasons.
The former Georgia standout normed at least five yards per carry from 2018 to 2021.
Meanwhile, Jonathan Taylor and Derrick Henry only had two seasons of such nature, while 12 other running backs had one season each.
This stat proves that Chubb will get his yards even if the defense already knows what’s coming.
That’s why he could still finish with 1,259 rushing yards and eight touchdowns last season.
Chubb Remains In Cleveland
The Browns lost some players like Odell Beckham Jr., Jarvis Landry, and JC Tretter.
Baker Mayfield is also on the way out now that Watson and Jacoby Brissett are on board.
The team could afford those departures, and they’ve addressed those positions this offseason.
However, they can’t afford to lose Chubb if they want to maintain their balanced attack.
Therefore, the Browns are fortunate to have him for at least three more years for $36 million.
Their passing game will open up if Chubb punishes their opponents on the ground.
On the other hand, he will also benefit if Watson, Cooper, and Donovan Peoples-Jones start racking up yards in the air.
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