Browns HC Kevin Stefanski said Sunday that the team's third-down RB job is up for grabs. "Could be Nick [Chubb], could be Jerome [Ford]," Stefanski said. Chubb played just 21% of Cleveland's third-down snaps last year, ceding most of that work to RB Kareem Hunt, who's no longer on the team. Any extra third-down work Chubb picks up this season would be a bonus -- and give him an opportunity to grow his receiving production considerably. Ford, meanwhile, seems locked in as the Chubb handcuff. If he captures the majority of the third-down work, he'd have a chance at some standalone value in PPR leagues.
Browns GM Andrew Berry has been impressed by RB Jerome Ford's ability in the passing game. "Feel really good about Jerome Ford," Berry said. "Had a strong spring, pass protection especially. We think his receiver skills are strong." That's particularly noteworthy as the Browns look to replace RB Kareem Hunt, who averaged 3.4 targets per game over the last four seasons. We're not expecting Ford to pick up all of that work -- or be a standalone fantasy option behind a healthy Nick Chubb. But this looks like further confirmation that Ford is the Chubb handcuff, barring an addition to the Cleveland backfield.
Browns RB Nick Chubb averaged a career-high 17.7 carries per game in 2022. RB coach Stump Mitchell thinks that number may increase this fall. "Well, Nick hasn’t averaged 20 carries any single year in his career," Mitchell said via the Akron Beacon Journal. "If anything, they may increase. Hopefully we'll be a lot more successful in the passing game and we'll be running the ball more in the third or fourth quarter.” Michell also said Chubb will have an “opportunity to catch more passes.” (He even said a 1,000-yard receiving season is within reach, a wild claim.) The veteran tallied 27 catches for 239 yards last season and owns a career-high of 36 catches (2019). Current projections have Chubb pegged for 300 total touches.
Browns RB Nick Chubb posted a career year in 2022, finishing as the RB7 in PPR points per game (16.6). Even better, the lowest weekly fantasy finish Chubb recorded in 2022 was RB37, meaning he was at least a flex-worthy player in every game he played. He finished the season third in Pro Football Focus rushing grade, rushing yards (1,525), and yards after contact (1,050), in addition to tying for fourth in rushing TDs (12). But if you zoom in a bit, Chubb did take a step backward in a couple of areas. He logged a career-low 3.48 yards after contact per attempt, down from 4.24 and 4.00 the previous two years, and his 97.2 PFF Elusive Rating marked much lower than his 2021 (107.7) and 2020 (126.6) numbers. We still have a lot of faith in Chubb in 2023 despite the red flags. Only 2021 fifth-round pick Jerome Ford, a player who logged 8 total touches last season, stands as competition for touches, and the Browns’ offensive line that ranked eighth in PFF team run-blocking grade is still strong. See where Chubb lands in our current RB rankings.
Per Zac Jackson of The Athletic, Browns RB Jerome Ford “is going to be given every chance to be the guy” behind Nick Chubb. Citing Cleveland’s current depth, Jackson writes: “I believe the Browns know they can find a veteran runner if necessary but won’t be in a hurry to sign one.” Some candidates include Zeke Elliott, Leonard Fournette, and perhaps a reunion with Kareem Hunt. Ford remains an excellent shot to take near the end of best ball drafts.
Browns RB Nick Chubb carried the ball 14 times for a total of 104 yards in Sunday's win vs. the Commanders. He also hauled in 1 catch for 12 yards in the receiving game. Chubb now has 10 games this season with 90+ rushing yards, further solidifying his workhorse status in the Browns' offense. Fantasy managers playing into Week 18 will see Chubb go up against a Steelers defense he shredded for 113 yards and a TD in Week 3. That said, the Steelers' front is much stronger now than it was to begin the season, ranking 2nd in Football Outsiders' run defense DVOA since Week 10.
Browns RB Nick Chubb gets a tough matchup in Week 17. The Commanders come in 3rd-best in adjusted fantasy points allowed to RBs, trailing only San Francisco and New England. Washington has allowed just 2 RBs to reach 80 rushing yards all season: Saquon Barkley, who did so in 1 of 2 meetings; and Derrick Henry, who averaged a mere 3.6 yards per rush in their meeting. Washington's run D has softened lately, according to Football Outsiders DVOA, ranking 30th in that area in 2 games since the team's bye. But they also faced Barkley (2nd time) and the 49ers in those contests. Cleveland, meanwhile, ranks just 24th in total offensive DVOA since QB Deshaun Watson stepped in: 27th passing and just 22nd rushing. That struggling offense won't help draw attention away from Chubb, who has also gone from 5.6 yards per carry before the team's Week 9 bye to 3.96 per rush since.
Browns RB Nick Chubb rushed 24 times for 92 yards in Saturday's loss to the Saints. He watched QB Deshaun Watson claim the team's only TD, though, on a run from 12 yards out. Chubb averaged just 3.8 yards per carry, just his 3rd game of less than 4 yards per rush all year. All 3 have come since the Week 9 bye, though.
The forecast for today's Saints-Browns game calls for temperatures in the single digits with sustained winds of 20-25 mph and gusts of 40+. The wind chill is well below zero. They're brutal conditions that will significantly limit the passing and kicking games. Check out our projections for all the Saints and Browns players.
Browns RB Nick Chubb (foot) does not carry an injury designation for Week 16. The workhorse back should be fine for Saturday's contest vs. the Saints. In what should be a bad-weather game, the Browns may look to give Chubb a good chunk of carries. Consider Chubb a low-end RB1 option in your lineup.
Browns RB Nick Chubb (foot) was a no-go at practice for the 2nd day in a row. Tomorrow's practice report will provide the final word on Chubb's ability to suit up vs. the Saints on Saturday. If Chubb can't go in Week 16, it would be a big boost to both Kareem Hunt and potentially D'Ernest Johnson. We'll stay on top of this one. Losing a top back like Chubb in the fantasy playoffs would certainly be disappointing.
Browns RB Nick Chubb (foot) did not practice on Tuesday. The Browns' next game vs. the Saints is on Saturday. As such, Chubb’s absence from practice could merely be cautionary. We’ll still keep an eye on this as their Week 16 matchup gets closer. If Chubb were unable to suit up, Kareem Hunt would likely elevate on the depth chart and shoulder a good amount of responsibility against a Saints defense that ranks 13th in adjusted fantasy points allowed to RBs. Stay tuned.
Browns RB Nick Chubb rushed 21 times for 99 yards in Saturday's win over the Ravens. He claimed 84% of Cleveland RB carries in the game but didn't find the end zone in a game that saw the Browns score just 1 TD. Kareem Hunt added 24 yards on 4 carries and caught his only target for 3 yards. Demetric Felton added the backfield's only other reception. Chubb drew 2 targets but caught neither. Week 16 holds a Saints defense that has been a neutral matchup for RB scoring, which marks an improvement over the Baltimore matchup.
Browns RB Nick Chubb rushed 14 times for 34 yards in Sunday's loss to the Bengals. It marked the 3rd time in Cleveland's past 5 games that Chubb logged 14 carries or fewer (all losses). His 2.4 yards per rush marked just the 2nd time all year that he has fallen short of 4.0. RB Kareem Hunt added just 4-6 rushing and beat Chubb by only 1 target. Chubb caught all 3 of his looks for 20 yards. He now gets the 3rd worst remaining schedule for RB scoring.
Browns RB Nick Chubb posted a relatively disappointing 80 yards on 17 carries in Sunday's win over the Texans. It obviously wasn't a terrible day, as Chubb averaged 4.7 yards per rush. But that's 0.5 short of his season per-carry average. He also fell 1.2 attempts and 14.5 yards short of his weekly averages in those categories. That hurt fantasy football lineups that were hoping for a big score against 1 of the league's worst run defenses. Chubb also failed to reach the end zone for just the 2nd time among the past 6 games. RB Kareem Hunt added 56 yards on 9 carries (6.2 per rush) and caught 2 balls for 18 yards among 3 targets. Week 14 holds a rematch with the Bengals, who allowed Chubb a 23-101-2 rushing line back in Week 8.
Browns RB Nick Chubb delivered 116 yards and the game-winning TD on 26 carries Sunday against the Buccaneers. RB Kareem Hunt added just 15 yards on 5 carries plus a single catch for 6 yards. It was just the 2nd game with more than 16 carries for Chubb since Week 3 and his 2nd game of 100+ yards among the past 6. Next comes a high-ceiling rushing matchup with the Texans' league-worst run defense.
Browns RB Nick Chubb got loose for a 26-yard gain on a screen pass but didn't find much else in Sunday's loss to the Bills. He managed only 19 yards on 14 carries, with 48 total receiving yards on 3 receptions. Kareem Hunt led the team with 32 yards on 5 rushes (6.4 per carry). Hunt also caught his 2 targets for 22 yards. Next comes a home date with the Bucs before a visit to the league's worst run defense in Houston.
The NFL is moving Sunday's Bills-Browns game to Detroit, according to The Athletic's Tim Graham. Buffalo is expected to get pounded with 4+ feet of snow over the next few days. Moving from those conditions to a dome is obviously great news for all of the fantasy players in this game.
The Browns are willing to trade RB Kareem Hunt and are looking for a 4th-round pick in return, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports. Hunt is set to hit free agency in March and seems unlikely to re-sign with Cleveland. We'll see if a trade gets done before Tuesday's deadline. It'd likely be good news for Hunt's fantasy value. It'd also be a boost for RB Nick Chubb, while elevating D'Ernest Johnson to the #2 RB spot in Cleveland.
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