2017 NFL Draft: Georgia Nick Chubb Scouting Report
By Jon Dove
Georgia’s Nick Chubb has made a surprisingly quick recovery and is back in the early round mix for the 2017 NFL Draft.
Nick Chubb has proven to be a dynamic runner who possesses the capability to take over games. Until his knee injury last year, he was considered one of the top running backs in college football on the same level as guys like LSU’s Leonard Fournette and Florida State’s Dalvin Cook.
The injury sort of pushed him into the background as many weren’t sure how he’d recover. So far, Chubb has shown that’s he’s close to being his former self. He’s running with power by breaking tackles and lowering his head to move the pile.
His vision remains intact as he shows the knack for quickly locating open running lanes. Chubb’s vision is the real key to his success because he allows him to make the most out of each carry. His quick feet complement his vision in that it helps him seamlessly change direction.
Chubb has deceptive quickness and ability to outpace defensive angles. He’s most effective working between the tackles but also is capable of attacking the edge. His overall versatility as a runner makes him a strong fit for any offensive system.
The concerns surrounding his game come in the passing attack. He struggles in pass protection where he appears to be less than willing to throw a block. Chubb doesn’t gain a wide base, set his feet and anchor after contact.
He’ll need to show dramatic improvements in this area if he hopes to be considered an every-down back.
The knee injury is still something that evaluators will want to check out during the draft process. He looks like his former self, but there’s a noticeable difference in his explosiveness. Chubb appears to be a step slower than before the injury.
However, it typically takes more than a year for a player to fully recover and feel comfortable.
Current Draft Status: 2nd Round