Is Chubb the best player in the 2018 NFL Draft?

Bradley Chubb is the best defensive player available in this year's NFL draft, and he underlined and highlighted that point with his performance Sunday at the combine.

The 6-foot-4, 269-pound defensive end hopes to fashion himself into a mix of Khalil Mack and Von Miller, the premier players at his position. He ran the 40 in 4.65 seconds and pushed out 24 reps on the bench press in an attempt to make that goal seem realistic.

As put on full display this weekend, Chubb's athleticism and relentless motor should make NFL evaluators question whether he's the best player at any position to come out of college this year.

Bradley Chubb (@ASTROCHUBB) runs a 4.66u 40-yard dash! @PackFootball

(@MikeMayock's #1 ranked DE) #NFLCombine

: @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/RQbuOsPye2

- NFL (@NFL) March 4, 2018

The league has identified pass-rusher as one of the most important positions on a roster. Just last year, the Cleveland Browns made Myles Garrett the first player selected in the 2017 draft. Despite a desperate need for a quarterback (or running back, or receiver, or ...), the Browns took the 6-foot-4, 272-pounder.

The NFL Network crew placed Chubb and Garrett's best runs in the 40 side by side, and the result was close.

.@jbbigbear vs. @MylesLGarrett vs. @ASTROCHUBB.

The top rated DEs in each of the last three drafts go head-to-head in the 40-yard dash simulcam! #NFLCombine

: @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/Z7yFn7hpCY

- NFL (@NFL) March 4, 2018

Garrett and the NC State product don't just mirror each other with their 6-foot-4 frames, roughly 35-inch arms, and weights hovering around 270 pounds. Here's how they fared in combine drills:

Chubb proved stronger than tackle Trent Williams, faster than receiver Jarvis Landry, and a higher jumper than A.J. Green, according to the NFL's research department.

#Browns pairing Myles Garrett and Bradley Chubb is fun to consider.

- Charles Robinson (@CharlesRobinson) March 4, 2018

The Browns own the top pick in this year's draft as well, and they won't use the spot on a defensive end in consecutive seasons. Yet, if another team held the selection, would Chubb be more deserving than other candidates - including running back Saquon Barkley and quarterbacks Josh Allen, Josh Rosen, and Sam Darnold?

In 2014, Jadeveon Clowney went No. 1 overall, ahead of the likes of Mack, Blake Bortles, Johnny Manziel, and Derek Carr. Chubb's combine stats are very close to those of the Texans star.

This year's draft class is stronger at quarterback and running back than the 2014 group, so Chubb has stiffer competition for the top pick. However, his display at the combine suggests he may be just as deserving as Garrett and Clowney.

In his three years as a starter, Chubb also proved every bit as dominant as Clowney and Garrett over the same span of their college careers.

Allen, Rosen, and Darnold each failed to establish themselves as the top prospect Saturday. Chubb's name likely won't be the first one called Apr. 26, but perhaps it should be.

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