Pro Football Focus has released its annual list of the top 50 players in the NFL. As expected, PFF started the list at No. 1 with Rams DT Aaron Donald. But the Cleveland Browns landed two players on the 2020 edition, a nice acknowledgment of the top-end talent on the roster.
Running back Nick Chubb was the first Cleveland player on PFF’s list, checking in at No. 27 overall. Only Carolina’s Christian McCaffrey ranked higher at running back. In his first two seasons, Chubb has made quite a splash.
“Chubb is averaging more than four yards per carry after contact over his NFL career. He has PFF rushing grades above 90.0 in both seasons and has broken 110 tackles on just 490 carries with another 18 broken tackles on the 56 receptions he has to date.”
Defensive end Myles Garrett slots in two spots later at No. 29. Despite the suspension that cost him the final six games. Garrett still had an outstanding year in PFF grading metrics. On Garrett,
His pass-rushing grade of 91.6 was the second-best in the league, a fraction behind T.J. Watt. If Garrett can return to the same level of play he reached last season, we are looking at one of the best pass rushers in the game — somebody whose PFF grade has improved each season of his career.
Some prominent Browns did not make the list, too. Jarvis Landry, Sheldon Richardson, Odell Beckham Jr. and Denzel Ward are all viable candidates to surge up the rankings and crack the list in 2021. Perhaps Baker Mayfield and Joel Bitonio, too.
No. 27 on the PFF50:
Nick Chubb pic.twitter.com/NLkaYtyotx
— PFF (@PFF) May 31, 2020