10 NFL running backs who can lead the league in rushing
4. Nick Chubb
Chubb is another back who’s flying a little bit under the radar due to all of the headlines generated by his quarterback. The Browns are very concerned about fixing Baker Mayfield in 2020. They can focus on the young quarterback because they already know their ground game can function at a high level.
Chubb carried the ball 298 times last season while the passing game struggled around him. He turned those touches into 1,494 yards on the ground. Any back who can average five yards per carry on that type of volume has a chance to be elite.
The biggest concern about Chubb’s 2020 production is whether or not he’ll still get the same volume. First-year head coach Kevin Stefanski will likely throw the ball more often to keep all of his big-name receivers happy. That could cut into Chubb’s workload slightly.
It’s still a safe bet that Chubb is going to get a ton of work. In particular, he’s got a chance to see his workload increase late in the season as the weather gets bad in Cleveland. If Mayfield wobbles, the Browns could turn to Chubb to save their offense once again. They probably don’t want him to lead the NFL in rushing, but it doesn’t mean he won’t.