Who Should I Start? Chuba Hubbard or Jaylen Warren

Sunday, January 11, 10:29 PM

Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard tallied 13 carries, 46 rushing yards, and two rushing touchdowns during Saturday's Wild Card loss against the Los Angeles Rams. He also caught two of four targets for an additional 13 receiving yards. Hubbard lost his lead-back role to Rico Dowdle during the middle of the season, but he seemed to reclaim his top spot over the final few weeks. As the Panthers were eliminated on Saturday, Hubbard registered 15 touches while Dowdle had just six. Dowdle is an impending free agent, so Hubbard should be a fringe top-24 fantasy running back heading into 2026 fantasy football drafts. It's unclear whether Jonathan Brooks (knee) or Trevor Etienne will be able to carve out a role next year.

Monday, January 12, 2:12 PM

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren finished the regular season with 1,291 yards from scrimmage and eight touchdowns, but in Monday night's Wild Card finale, he faces a Texans defense that has been among the most punishing all season long. Houston has been the 8th most formidable fantasy defense in terms of limiting opposing running backs, holding lead backs 2.4 points below their season average. With Warren already working as part of a committee with Kenneth Gainwell, neither player boasts a particularly high ceiling, though both are buoyed by their steady work in the passing game. Warren is RotoBaller's RB9 for Wild Card Weekend and will likely need to see a strong target share to make good on that projection.