Who Should I Start? Nick Chubb or Chuba Hubbard

Monday, June 9, 6:53 PM

The Houston Texans officially signed free-agent running back Nick Chubb to a one-year, $2.5 million deal on Monday that could be worth up to $5 million, sources tell NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Chubb passed a physical after a gruesome left-knee injury in 2023 that required multiple surgeries. The former Cleveland Browns Pro Bowler was one of the most powerful backs in the league before his injury, as he went for a career-high 1,525 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns on 302 carries in 2022. He managed to play in just eight games last year, though, and wasn't the same, averaging a career-low 3.3 yards per carry with 332 rushing yards and three scores on 102 rushing attempts. Chubb also fractured his left foot in Week 15 last year, so he may never be the same explosive back he once was. Now in Houston, he'll be competing with Dameon Pierce for RB2 duties behind starter Joe Mixon.

Tuesday, July 1, 9:19 PM

The Charlotte Observer's Alex Zietlow writes that Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard "will still get the overwhelming majority of the touches" this year. Hubbard was the team's bell-cow back in 2024 with 712 snaps. He carried the ball 250 times, which ranked 11th in the NFL and second among all RBs who played 15 games or fewer. Zietlow thinks that number will drop a bit this year as the Panthers look to keep Hubbard fresh, with Rico Dowdle and rookie Trevor Etienne splitting change-of-pace carries. The 26-year-old had his first 1,000-yard rushing season with a career-high 10 touchdowns in 15 starts, adding a carer-high 43 catches for 171 yards and a score through the air. There's a good chance 2024 ends up being Hubbard's career year, as Dowdle should be much more effective than Miles Sanders was behind Hubbard last year. Fantasy managers should target Hubbard as an RB2.