Cleveland Browns: Nick Chubb PFF’s most elusive RB

Cleveland Browns RB Nick Chubb is the hardest man in the NFL to tackle.

The Cleveland Browns have a long tradition of fielding standout running backs, and Nick Chubb continues his run as the latest greatest at the position.

Chubb’s stock is now soaring even higher, as the former second-round pick was atop a key statistical category in the analytics world.

PFF listed Chubb as the most elusive running back in football, meaning Chubb is the most difficult to bring to the ground. As noted by PFF, some players try to run defenders other, while others can juke and dive out of the way to avoid being hit. The goal’s always the same with either method, though: Don’t get go down!

PFF grades carry a lot of weight, and Chubb’s mark is pristine entering year number three. The back is one of two backs (Derrick Henry is the other) to average over 4.0 yards after contract per attempt (minimum 100 carries), according to PFF.

He’s the Browns best player and a key reason why the team’s offense will take a big step forward in 2020.

Elsewhere in the division, Pittsburgh’s James Conner comes in at No. 11, while Cincinnati’s Joe Mixon check out at 14 and Baltimore’s Mark Ingram is 21st.

PFF noted that “elusive” doesn’t equate “best,” but when it comes to finding the best back, Chubb could be at the top of that list, too.

Yes, the Steelers have Big Ben back in 2020, but it’s true he’s aging. In theory, he should be in decline. The Bengals have a rookie quarterback, while the Ravens boast the MVP in Lamar Jackson. Jackson is an amazing player, but it’s not a slam dunk that he goes and replicates his memorable 2020 season. He’s still a running quarterback, and the shelf life–until further notice–remains short on players with that skill set.

So, in the division that stresses running the ball and stopping the run, the Browns should run, run run!

2. NFL analyst Greg Cosell appeared on Cleveland.com podcast and talked about Baker Mayfield. Cosell, a senior producer for NFL watches a ton of film and commented on how Mayfield looked uncomfortable in 2019.

To which I replied, “No kidding!”

It all goes back to Kitchens, who’s offense seemed to bank on Baker making magic. It didn’t happen and now new coach Kevin Stefanski is trying to save the former No. 1 overall pick.

Interestingly, Cosell had Mayfield typecast as a running quarterback coming out of college. He then watched the film, and realized that wasn’t true. Rather, he saw how everything Mayfield did was “quick.” Mayfield had a good arm, was accurate and got rid of the ball in a hurry.

None of those things happened last year, but that’s expected to change under Stefanski, which is why Cosell believes Mayfield can resurrect his career.