Who Should I Start? Chuba Hubbard or Bryce Young

Monday, December 30, 6:15 PM

Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales said on Monday that running back Chuba Hubbard (calf) will not require surgery for his strained calf. Hubbard was placed on season-ending Injured Reserve last week and will miss the final two games of the 2024 regular season. It's a downer to end what was a brilliant campaign for the 25-year-old in his fourth year in the NFL. He set career-highs in rushing attempts (250), rushing yards (1,195), rushing touchdowns (10) and receptions (43) while recording 171 receiving yards and an additional touchdown in his 15 starts. In terms of half-PPR points per game (14.9), Hubbard was the RB12 in fantasy. Although the Panthers have another promising back they drafted in 2024 in Jonathon Brooks, he has yet to be healthy, and Carolina also signed Hubbard to a four-year extension last month. Hubbard should enter 2025 as the team's unquestioned RB1.

Wednesday, January 15, 12:53 PM

After a disastrous rookie season in 2023, Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young got off to a terrible start in 2024 and was benched after just two games in favor of veteran Andy Dalton. The Athletic's Joseph Person writes that the second-year signal-caller made arguably the most important 180-degree turnaround in franchise history. Young was among Pro Football Focus' highest-graded QBs in the final 11 weeks of the season, and his turnaround was sparked by improved body language and fire and much better footwork. Young's footwork ended the year "light years ahead" of where it was at in 2023 and to begin this season, according to a team source. The former No. 1 overall pick had a 61.8 completion percentage, 2,104 yards, 15 TDs and six interceptions in his last 10 starts. He won't be a QB1 in fantasy in 2025, but his turnaround gives fantasy managers hope he could eventually get there.