Who Should I Start? Nick Chubb or Javonte Williams

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, 12:27 AM

Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams certainly had a bigger role in the offense with Jaleel McLaughlin (quadriceps) out in the Thursday night loss to the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers, but not in the way that many would have predicted. Williams took a back seat to rookie Audric Estime on the ground in the 34-27 loss with only four carries for 24 yards (6.0 yards per tote), but he surprisingly led the team in targets (11), securing a team-high and season-high seven catches for 29 yards through the air. Rookie QB Bo Nix was content to check it down most of the night, with Williams benefitting. The 24-year-old came into Thursday's game with a disappointing 3.5 yard-per-carry average on the ground, although he was much more efficient on limited touches against LA. It's unlikely he'll be this involved in the passing game again, but if McLaughlin misses another game, Williams will have RB3/flex appeal in a plus matchup against Cincinnati in Week 17.