Who Should I Start? Nick Chubb or Isiah Pacheco

Friday, December 20, 12:19 PM

Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (foot), who suffered a season-ending broken foot in the Week 15 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, is headed for free agency in March, and The Athletic's Zac Jackson writes that it's hard to say what Chubb's future in Cleveland might be. Jerome Ford will be the team's clear lead runner over the final three games of the season, with Pierre Strong Jr. and D'Onta Foreman also being evaluated in bigger roles. Strong is a candidate to return in 2025, but Foreman is not. Chubb is a popular player in the locker room and among fans, but the Browns must determine how much they think he has left after ending each of the last two seasons on Injured Reserve due to injuries. The 28-year-old four-time Pro Bowler may never be the same after suffering a gruesome knee injury early in 2023. In just eight games in 2024, Chubb didn't look the same and averaged a career-low 3.3 yards per tote.

Friday, December 20, 4:35 AM

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco will face the Houston Texans on Saturday in Week 16. Pacheco appeared to emerge as the lead back in Week 14, earning 16 touches compared to six for Kareem Hunt, but that changed in Week 15. The two running backs each handled 13 carries last week against the Cleveland Browns, and Hunt outproduced Pacheco. It will be interesting to see how the backfield split shakes out this week against the Houston Texans, who rank fourth in fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs this year. The 25-year-old is ranked RB25 in our RotoBaller Half-PPR rankings, making him a low-end RB2/Flex option this week. Fantasy managers will have a tough time trusting Pacheco in the fantasy playoffs, especially with Hunt stealing touches.