Home 2018 Offseason SCB 2018 Draft Player Profile: Nick Chubb, RB, Georgia

SCB 2018 Draft Player Profile: Nick Chubb, RB, Georgia

by Steeldad
Chubb

With Le’Veon Bell’s status currently in doubt, is a running back like Nick Chubb on the Steelers’ radar? We’re taking a look at the talented Georgia running back.

Who: Nick Chubb, Running Back, Georgia 5’11” 227 lbs.

Key Combine Stats: 40 time: 4.53 | Bench Press Reps at 225 lbs: 29 | 38.5″ vertical

2017 Stats: 15 Games | 223 Carries | 1,345 yards | 6.0 yards per carry | 15 TDs | 4 Receptions | 30 yards receiving |

The Skinny: An amazing freshman season at Georgia was followed by a devastating knee injury in his sophomore campaign. He bounced back nicely in his junior and senior seasons but just what he offers at the NFL level is a bit unclear.

What’s to Like: Secures the ball well and has a low center of gravity which makes tackling him difficult. He’s hard to bring down in general. Former team captain at UGA very well-respected by teammates and coaches. I like his vision. Starts setting up second level tacklers before he even gets there. Good success out of ‘wildcat’ formation and in those cases he read his blocking very well. Reminds me a lot of old school running backs who find ways to get yards.

What’s Concerning: If you watch his freshman tape then his senior tape, there’s a difference. He just doesn’t look as explosive to me following the knee injury. He often gave way to Sony Michel on passing downs and ended up catching less than 40 balls in his entire career at UGA. This leads to major concerns about whether he can be a three-down back. His pass blocking isn’t terrible but it needs work. The strength is there but the “want” is lacking and that isn’t good at the NFL level.

Here’s his freshman year against Auburn.

The Verdict: Chubb reminds me a of a running back coming along 15 years too late. He would be a great early downs back to load up in the I-formation and pound the ball with but alas, the game has changed. This doesn’t mean he can’t be a successful NFL runner. He’s incredibly strong and forces tacklers to go low which often allows him to step over or hurdle defenders. I don’t see the potential for him like I saw in his teammate Sony Michel. These are both high-character guys who would be good on any roster but Chubb is not the type of guy you look for to replace Le’Veon Bell should it come to that. His lack of production in the passing game just doesn’t work for what the Steelers have done recently. I see him going in the third or fourth round with the potential to be a starter on a team that is run heavy.

Videos watched: vs. Miss St. ’17… vs. AUB ’17… vs TENN ’17… vs. APP St ’17… vs. AUB ’14

Photo courtesy: dawgsports.com

Video courtesy: DraftBreakdown.com

Stats courtesy: sports-reference.com

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