Who Should I Start? Chuba Hubbard or Omarion Hampton

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, June 11, 5:36 PM

Los Angeles Chargers offensive coordinator Greg Roman has been impressed with rookie first-round running back Omarion Hampton. "He's the total package. You don't see a lot of guys find a hole like he's doing right now," Roman said. The Bolts also signed Najee Harris in free agency this offseason, but Hampton figures to have a big role in his first year in the NFL and is already ranked higher than Harris at RotoBaller. The 22-year-old had over 1,500 rushing yards in his final two seasons at North Carolina and is extremely athletic. We already know the Chargers are going to run plenty under Roman and head coach Jim Harbaugh, and Hampton should reap the benefits. As far as his fantasy value goes, Harris is going to steal valuable touches as an all-around back, but Hampton will have clear RB2 upside and could easily be L.A.'s preferred RB by season's end.