Who Should I Start? Nick Chubb or Dylan Sampson

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.

Saturday, June 28, 11:38 AM

Cleveland Browns rookie fourth-round running back Dylan Sampson received work "as a running back and a receiver" during minicamp, according to RBs coach Duce Staley. Staley went on to add that Sampson "is able to go play in the slot and also he's able to go and play on third down and maybe sprinkle in a little second down." The Cleveland Plain Dealer's Dan Labbe thinks that heading into training camp, rookies Quinshon Judkins and Sampson figure to be the top two backs, with Jerome Ford serving as the primary third-down back. The 20-year-old Sampson rushed for 1,491 yards and 22 touchdowns (5.8 yards per carry) in 2024 at Tennessee, but he wasn't all that involved as a pass-catcher. He's a speedy back that could be worth a dart throw in deep PPR formats, but most likely he'll be an inconsistent fantasy performer unless Judkins misses time with an injury.