Someone was going to do it, and on Monday it happened. The Cleveland Browns signed running back Kareem Hunt to a one-year deal, adding him to the running back mix of an offense that is on the rise.
The Browns already have a capable young running back in Nick Chubb, so adding Hunt seems superfluous on its face. But on the other hand, purely for football reasons, the opportunity to add a talent like Hunt can’t be turned away from.
Going further, what are the fantasy football implications of the Browns signing Hunt?
Hunt led the NFL in rushing as a rookie with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2017 (1,327 yards, with eight touchdowns), along with 53 receptions for 455 yards and three touchdowns on his way to finishing as RB3 in fantasy (RB4 in full-point PPR). He was well on his way to a similar finish in 2018 before off-field issues came to full light, and as it was he finished as RB11 in PPR formats (RB8 in standard scoring) over 11 games.
One of the issues Hue Jackson had as Browns’ head coach before he was fired was favoring Carlos Hyde over Chubb. Over 10 games after Hyde was traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars, Chubb had at least 18 carries seven times on his way to 823 rushing yards and six touchdowns along with 20 receptions and two more scores. From Week 7-Week 16, the meaningful weeks for most fantasy football owners, Chubb was RB7 in standard scoring and RB6 in full-point PPR (h/t to Fantasy Pros).
Duke Johnson has seen a drop in usage over the last couple seasons, but he still had 47 receptions last year (9.1 yards per catch) while averaging five yards per carry. When asked about Johnson in regard to Hunt’s signing, Browns’ general manager John Dorsey said “I don’t think it makes him expendable yet.” But from the broad view, Hunt’s eventual presence stands to impact Johnson greatly in terms of playing time and fantasy value with the Browns while adding in the possibility he is traded at some point.
The significant element regarding Hunt is a looming suspension, which could be lengthy as he sits on the Commissioner’s Exempt List and the NFL continues to investigate multiple off-field incidents. Four games seems like the bare minimum, right up to a worst-case scenario (from certain perspectives) of a full season. By the time fantasy leagues are drafting this summer the length of the suspension should be known. But Hunt is still only shaping up to be a late flier in drafts and auctions, with fingers crossed he’ll make an impact during some of the most important weeks of the season.
Early rumors of Chubb’s fantasy demise based on Hunt coming aboard are being greatly exaggerated. More usage as a pass catcher would be be nice (29 targets overall last season, 28 targets when he was the No. 1 back), but Chubb is a legit low-end RB1 for 2019 regardless of scoring format. If he comes at a discount based on fear of Hunt’s impact (ex: falling to the end of the second round in a 12-team league), those that remain on the Chubb bandwagon in re-draft leagues will have an even better opportunity.
Other fantasy tentacle of Hunt’s signing with the Browns is the impact on Chubb’s dynasty league outlook. Cleveland has control over Hunt as a restricted free agent for 2020, but it’s hardly a guarantee they’ll keep him. Those that bail on keeping Chubb in a dynasty league, based strictly on fear of Hunt and a dreaded future backfield split, are overreacting.
ATTN Dynasty Commissioners: Do you want to do something cool for your league? How about a 1-hour live show dedicated to YOUR league? Team-by-team breakdowns, rankings, and more. For details and to book a show, visit: GoingFor2.com/plp.
The GoingFor2 Live Podcast
