Cleveland Browns: 5 bold predictions for the 2018 season
By Ryan Rosko
Balanced running back production
At no time will there be a running back proving they deserve the football on 65 percent or more of the carries. In the second half of the season, Nick Chubb will take a key step forward and show that he deserves to be RB1. There is an asterisk to that however as Chubb won’t ultimately be the RB1 until 2019.
Like in the second preseason game versus the Buffalo Bills, a balanced attack was seen. Carlos Hyde will be the starter this season but sometimes Chubb may end up with more carries depending on the game goes.
Hyde has never reached 1,000 yards and in 2018 that will continue. That said, for the first time in Jackson’s tenure, there will be a legit running attack with Hyde leading the way. Taking into account Haley’s offense and the fact there is not a star like Pittsburgh Steelers’ Le’Veon Bell on the roster, Hyde will finish with 845 yards and 6 touchdowns. Meanwhile, Chubb will finish 675 and Duke Johnson ends up with 300.
Like in the past, Johnson will be more valuable in the passing game, while the other two excels via the running game. If the balanced running game goes away then there will be a repeat of recent seasons. There won’t be a middle ground.