My confirmation bias was shattered, because I had Chubb firmly ahead of Michel going into the season, and the last two months changed my opinion. However, Chubb took on a lot of eight man fronts in early downs early in the game and softened the defense up for Michel later in the game. Their OC found a recipe that worked, but people came away remembering Michel's bigger plays. I have to admit, I'd prefer the guy who is explosive to the guy who softens the defense up. Metcalf was more valuable than Hoard.
But Chubb looked good until he faced the best defense in college football. He feasted on Oklahoma one week prior. If the Browns still don't have a running back coming out of the second because the top tier go higher, I'd take him in a committee with Poop Dick. The team has a lot of holes and might not want to draft a running back in the top 60.
The obvious upshot in Michel, is he's extremely gifted between the tackles as well. But he has "homerun" speed as the cherry on top. While Chubb looks ripped at a comfortable 235lbs, Michel isn't a light-weight at 215lbs.
The great thing about Michel though, is his ability to run between tackles, get sideways to avoid direct contact, and almost always find that crease for 3-4 yards. Michel has the ability to take a closed gap, and find ways to maneuver his body to at least put you in a better position on second or third down. Chubb just doesn't have that ability....
You are correct about Chubb eating up OU on the ground, but Michel and Swift did as well. OU's defense was atrocious, especially against the run...all year. I still want to puke very time I think about how OSU tried to put the game on JT Barrett's shoulders rather than absolutely mauling them with a downhill power run game. Damn, I want a mulligan on that game.....
But it's also great that Michel has split the load the last 3 years, because for as physical of a style as he plays with, he's taken far fewer hits than he otherwise would've based on Chubb and Swift splitting carries.
It's early, but when you bounce around different forums/message boards, it seems every fanbase thinks they can get Michel at a value in the second round. I'm starting to think he goes top of Rd 1 after Barkley and Guice are off the board. I believe he has solidified himself as the #3 back in this draft. And quite honestly, if I were a GM looking for a prototypical NFL back that makes a living between the tackles, I think I'd rather have Michel than Barkely.....I'd rather have 2nd and 6 than 2nd and 10......