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          Browns show belief in Nick Chubb with trade of Carlos Hyde

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          Browns traded Hyde to 'break a log jam' at RB (1:03)

          Pat McManamon says trading running back Carlos Hyde to the Jaguars makes room for Duke Johnson Jr. and Nick Chubb in the Browns' backfield. (1:03)

          • Pat McManamon, ESPN Staff WriterOct 19, 2018, 05:16 PM ET
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            • Covered Browns, Cleveland sports since 1998
            • Previously worked at Fox Sports Ohio, AOL Fanhouse, Akron Beacon Journal/Ohio.com
            • Cleveland native, proud father of two daughters
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          BEREA, Ohio -- Nick Chubb's time in Cleveland has arrived.

          Six games into the season and after a near weekly occurrence of the team saying Chubb needed more carries and touches, he will get both following Carlos Hyde’s trade to Jacksonville.

          Chubb’s playing time and carries both will increase, which has to be of interest to fantasy owners as well as Browns fans. So will Duke Johnson.’s; the Browns' best playmaker from a year ago had been lost in a trio of backs that proved to be one too many.

          Hyde’s trade means that Chubb likely will be the starting back and get the bulk of the carries. He will assume the role Isaiah Crowell had one year ago.

          Johnson will return to his role of 2017, when he topped 1,000 yards rushing and receiving and led the Browns in touchdowns.

          Chubb has shown big-play ability, with touchdown runs of 63 and 41 yards. He also turned a negative play against the Los Angeles Chargers into a gain by avoiding tackles for a loss and using his quick feet and elusiveness to run for 19 yards.

          That one play may have summarized the difference between Chubb and Hyde. Chubb made a negative play into a double-digit gain. Hyde had plenty of times when he turned a negative play into a positive, but it usually went for 2, 4, or 6 yards, not 19.

          Hyde still dominated the carries; Chubb had only 16. There was a reason ProFootballFocus.com dubbed him the NFL’s most underutilized running back.

          Chubb’s average carry of 10.8 yards reflects his big-play potential. It won’t last, of course, but it shows what the Browns believe they have in him. He will get plenty of opportunities.

          The trade also frees more snaps for Johnson, who was the Browns' main playmaker a year ago. His first significant chance came in the game against the Chargers, and he totaled 109 total yards.

          One other factor that can’t be minimized: The Browns have significant issues at receiver, where Jarvis Landry will be joined in Tampa Bay by three rookies and the recently-signed Breshad Perriman.

          Opening up the running back spot for Chubb and Johnson gives the offense two more playmakers on the field at a time when the Browns need all the talent they can find to help rookie quarterback Baker Mayfield.