Who Should I Start? Chuba Hubbard or Kyren Williams

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.

Tuesday, June 17, 8:34 PM

Gary Klein of the Los Angeles Times reports that Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay indicates progress has been made towards a possible extension with running back Kyren Williams. Klein also noted that there has been no update on the situation with defensive back Jalen Ramsey. Williams has been hopeful of a contract for some time now, as he looks for his pay to match his production. The Notre Dame product has new backfield competition with LA's selection of rookie Jarquez Hunter (whom they traded up for). However, it's unlikely he'll lose his stranglehold on the backfield's touches, or even that Hunter will surpass second-year teammate Blake Corum. It's still in the cards that Williams doesn't receive a long-term deal, but he'll be among the best fantasy backs again this season, and well worth an early draft pick.