Could Nick Chubb Hit 2000 Yards in 2020?

Pros

Offensive Line

Joel Bitonio‘s first NFL experience was under Kyle Shanahan, and he produced the second-best run-blocking grade (72.9) of his career per Pro Football Focus. J.C. Tretter is one of the most athletic centers in the league and should flourish as a run blocker in the zone scheme. Jack Conklin was signed on specifically because he fits the system entirely. Over the last two years, per PFF’s John Kosco Conklin’s 84.6 grade on wide-zone run blocking was third-best in the NFL. The Browns added another athletic lineman in Jedrick Wills at left tackle. Questions remain at right guard, but both Wyatt Teller and Drew Forbes fit the mold of players that succeed in this system. This line has the chance to be an excellent run-blocking group giving Chubb more clean holes to run through. Over the last two years, Chubb has had to make holes more often than he should.

A Fullback

Not only does Chubb get more help up front, but he also gets another blocker in the form of a full back. For Cleveland fans having a fullback in the mix again feels like a win already. For Chubb, it is just one more way he can add a few yards to each carry. Chubb already has a 5.1 yards per carry average for his career, so that is saying something.

C.J. Ham was used at fullback for 223 snaps, so expect that or maybe more in Cleveland. If new fullback Andy Janovich is healthy, it is likely he will see the majority of those snaps. Andy has been a top four run blocker two of the last three years per PFF. He has also shown some skills catching the ball out of the backfield. Giving Chubb and extra blocker at times just seems unfair to defenses and should be fun to watch.

Consistency

Most fans will tell you Chubb needed to run more often under Freddie Kitchens, and they are not exactly wrong. Chubb was third in the NFL in attempts at 298 for the season, so Kitchens ran him a lot. The problem was not exactly quantity but consistency. The offense would get going with Chubb pounding the ball for six to eight plays, put up points, then, for some reason, threw the ball 15 times in a row unsuccessfully. At that point, if the game were close enough, Freddie would make Chubb the focal point again for a drive and be successful. Boom passing the rest of the way back.

If a small-time writer and big-time fan could see it, what do you think defensive coordinators were seeing. Yet, Chubb still gained nearly 1500 yards. Stefanski’s offense had a more consistent flow to the running game then mixed in the play-action to take advantage of that flow. We should see the same here in Cleveland giving Chubb the advantage of the defense not knowing what is coming.

Cons

Kareem Hunt

Kareem Hunt is only a con because he takes away carries for Chubb. Nothing else about having him as a weapon in this offense is terrible. Chubb and Hunt should be the most dynamic backfield in the NFL. Sharing the load and having a fullback to take some of the dual sets away will undoubtedly eat into carries for Chubb. Can this be offset by more big plays based on better-designed plays? It could. Nick Chubb could also be the focal point of the running game, while Hunt provides excellent receiving skills out of the backfield. Much like last year but with more creativity.

Passing Offense

The passing offense can become a con in tow ways. It can either be what it was last year, allowing teams to focus more on Chubb. Yes, he could have had more yards. Or the passing game could turn the corner, and Stefanski starts to call on Baker Mayfield more. The latter would not be a bad thing for the Browns but would take more yards away from Chubb. The Browns also have a bevy of players that can make plays catching the football. Stefanski will need to keep them all happy. All of this could certainly mean success for the Browns, Chubb’s focus, but it would certainly take away from a historic season for Chubb.

Conclusion

Stefanski had a very balanced attack in Minnesota, so I would expect that to be the same in Cleveland as long as both parts of the offense are firing on all cylinders. While this offense should certainly benefit Chubb overall, having Hunt on the roster could be the key to Nick Chubb coming up short of 2000 yards. Well, besides the fact it is hard to do. Hunt is just too talented not to get highly involved in the offense. It also allows for the Browns to throw fresh legs at you throughout a game consistently. It is more likely Browns fans see two 1000 yard backs than Nick Chubb cross that 2000 yard mark. But it was sure fun to think about it.