After a solid rookie season that saw him almost get to 1,000 yards rushing ESPN is expecting a massive jump for Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb. Last season Chubb wasn't the full-time starter and still finished with 996 yards and eight touchdowns. He also hauled in 20 receptions for 149 yards and two touchdowns.
This season, ESPN is expecting large improvements on every one of those numbers.
Their official stat predictions include 258 carries for 1,193 yards and nine touchdowns. They also expect 31 receptions for 257 yards and one touchdown.
Article Continues BelowChubb opened his NFL career buried behind both Carlos Hyde and Duke Johnson, but it didn't take long for the 2018 second-round pick to force his way into a massive role. Once he took over as the lead back in Week 7, Chubb handled 80 percent of the Browns' designed runs and 10 percent of the targets, and only seven backs scored more fantasy points. For the entire season, Chubb averaged 5.2 YPC (10th-highest at the position), including 2.41 after contact (seventh-best), and he averaged 0.53 fantasy points per snap, which was fourth-highest among backs. Chubb will open 2019 as Cleveland's clear feature back, though a limited role as a receiver and the return of Kareem Hunt around midseason limit his upside a bit. Chubb is best viewed as a strong RB2 in Cleveland's improved offense.
In terms of fantasy football the only issue for Chubb is that Kareem Hunt is coming back for the stretch run so his production might be hurt a little bit during the fantasy football playoffs.
In terms of the Browns though, that is a very good problem to have.