The Buffalo Bills are starting to reshape the defense with a pretty significant signing from their southern rivals, the Miami Dolphins. Defensive end Bradley Chubb, who knocked quarterback Josh Allen down a few times last season, is coming to Buffalo.
Not considered one of the premier names at the position by most despite being a former fifth-overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, Chubb is then a bit more of a gray area signing. Let’s crack open a nice, cold can of film and see how we think Chubb did
against some familiar faces.
The Film
For my overarching thoughts, I think the headline gives it away. Bradley Chubb is a capable defender with most of his wins coming through sheer power. Chubb is good at gaining leverage and using it. Some bursts of speed show up on film for Chubb too, though I’m not counting on him to win too many footraces at this point in his career.
I didn’t see much in the way of finesse techniques. The occasional spin attempt and rip make their way in. On most plays Chubb isn’t about to bend around the edge like Jerry Hughes used to, win a complex hand-fight competition, or the like.
Ultimately, I don’t expect the buzz around Chubb to be as hopeful as Von Miller or Joey Bosa. If Chubb does one thing neither Miller or Bosa did, stay healthy, it’s possible he creates the bigger ripple on the team of the three. Chubb is a steady hand who can get the job done on a routine basis.
Play notes
- This is a good representation of what Chubb can do. You know who Dion Dawkins is and Chubb is walking him backwards. The pair went back and forth pretty well in the two games last season.
- Reggie Gilliam knows how to block, but couldn’t handle Chubb here.
- The same for Jackson Hawes.
- Remember how I suggested he might not excel at finesse techniques? Here’s an attempt at a rip move to get free of Dawkins.
- There’s a little finesse here as Chubb uses his hands a bit to wade through the mess, but it’s more staying steady than any intentional method to get free of a block. I grabbed this play because it shows a little agility but mostly Chubb is able to get free because the offensive line was distracted to some degree elsewhere.
- On this sack, Chubb shows off a long arm which he does have some skill with, and then some speed to cut back inside of Dawkins.
- Run support is a little shaky in my opinion. I saw several plays were Chubb seemed to over or under shoot the mark, not see the play develop as quickly as I might like, or miss a tackle (there’s a couple just in the clips above).
- Long arm and a little bit of speed again.
