Cleveland Browns: The best drafted player at every position since 1999

Offensive backs – Nick Chubb

This is a no brainer, as the best running backs the team had prior to Nick Chubb came through free agency. That’s not to take away from Chubb, just an admission that guys in their third season are rarely considered a team’s best drafted running back. I mean, as good of a season as Derrick Henry had, he’s not going to beat out Eddie George or even Chris Johnson, yet as the Titans best running back.

For the Browns that’s not the case, as he’s clearly the best running back the team has ever drafted and all you need to do is look at that staggering average of 5.0 yards per carry. That’s a ridiculous stat-line and that’s not a season stat, by the way, that’s his career stat so far. It might go down some as time goes on, sure, but no other drafted running back has put up a season nearly as good.

Also, his competition isn’t great. Sure, William Green is a bit of a folk-hero in Cleveland for his 2002 season finale performance against the Atlanta Falcons. Duke Johnson should be in contention for his versatility, but after them who’s left? Trent Richardson had one year of unimpressive production but did have 11 touchdowns. James Jackson? No, that’s definitely not it. Jamel White? Wasn’t even a drafted player, he was a free agent. So even he doesn’t count.

So yeah, Chubb is an A+ player but his position on this list is less about how good he’s been historically and more about how good he’s been comparatively because comparatively, no one touches him. Historically though, he still has work to do.