NFL draft: The Nick Chubb of this year’s RB class, at least in 2 ways

Audric Estime isn’t projected to be the first back off the board but resembles the Browns top back in these 2 ways

There is none comparable to Cleveland Browns RB Nick Chubb. While Derrick Henry was the back that carried a huge load and Christian McCaffrey showed the ability to do it all, Chubb has been unique in his consistency, making something out of nothing and ability to make explosive runs.

When Chubb was drafted in 2018, he was the fourth back off the board behind Saquan Barkley, Rashaad Penny and Sony Michel. While Barkley has played well, none of the three touch Chubb who has faced eight-man defensive fronts at a high level. Despite missing almost all of 2023, Chubb also has the most rushes of over 20 yards in the last three seasons.

Predicting who could be “the next Nick Chubb” is silly for a variety of reasons. Chubb is one of one but the running back spot depends on a ton of variables for their success. As seen with Penny and Michel, and Barkley to an extent, where running backs are drafted doesn’t ensure anything.

With all that in mind, it was hard not to think of Chubb when we saw this graphic with Notre Dame Fighting Irish RB Audric Estime sitting out there by himself:

A lot of stacked boxes and a lot of explosive runs! At least in those two ways, Estime resembles Cleveland’s stud running back. Estime’s NFL draft profile is exciting despite not performing well at the NFL combine.

Estime also showed off his singing chops at the combine where he talked about losing his mother at a very young age.

On the Consensus Big Board, Estime is the seventh-rated running back, #111 overall, and we were able to snag him in the fourth round of our double trade-down Browns mock draft.

While the odds are against Estime coming close to the career that Chubb has had, the chart above does create an interesting comparison for Cleveland fans.

Where does Estime fall on your list of RBs you’d like the Browns to draft? Are you surprised by the above chart?

Share your thoughts on the Notre Dame back with the DBN community in the comment section below!