Who Should I Start? Travis Etienne Jr. or Chuba Hubbard

Wednesday, December 17, 12:47 AM

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. exploded for three receiving touchdowns in the Week 15 blowout win over the New York Jets. Etienne added 12 carries for 32 yards and three catches for 73 yards on four targets in the game. The 26-year-old continued his breakout campaign, becoming the eighth player this season and the first running back with three receiving scores. Etienne entered the game with only three career receiving touchdowns, but he doubled that mark on Sunday. There have only been four other running backs to record three touchdown catches in a game since 2015. Despite averaging just 3.0 yards per carry over the last three games, Etienne has totalled the fourth-most PPR points among running backs (57.8) during that stretch. He is firmly entrenched as one of the best weekly running back options in fantasy, even in a tough Week 16 matchup against the Denver Broncos.

Saturday, December 13, 12:14 PM

Chuba Hubbard delivered his best performance of the season in Week 13 against the Rams before going on bye. In that game, Hubbard totaled 83 rushing yards on 17 carries and 41 receiving yards on two receptions. The Carolina RB finished the game with 20.4 PPR points, marking the first time this year he registered over 20 PPR points. Hubbard and Rico Dowdle nearly split the workload in this game, with Hubbard seeing more of the snaps (59%) for the first time since Dowdle was named the starting RB in Week 9. Head coach Dave Canales confirmed that Hubbard would be the preferred back for third-down situations. Carolina faces the New Orleans Saints in Week 15. New Orleans ranks 18th in Fantasy Points Per Game allowed to RBs this season. In Week 10 against New Orleans, Hubbard finished with only 14 rushing yards on three carries and posted 2.5 PPR points. With a decent matchup and increased volume, Hubbard has fantasy appeal as a flex option in deeper leagues.