10 NFL running backs who can lead the league in rushing

NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 24: Derrick Henry #22 of the Tennessee Titans runs the ball during the second half of a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Nissan Stadium on November 24, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Titans defeated the Jaguars 42-20. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

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CINCINNATI, OH – DECEMBER 29: Nick Chubb #24 of the Cleveland Browns runs the ball during the first quarter of the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images) /

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.

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