Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard was a poor man’s Christian McCaffrey, while the latter missed time last season. With the Panthers adding D’Onta Foreman, what can fantasy football managers expect from Hubbard in the 2022 season, and is he a good value at his current ADP in fantasy drafts?
Chuba Hubbard’s fantasy outlook for 2022
Hubbard’s 8.1 PPR fantasy points per game are not what matters this season. What matters is his 11.1 ppg in 10 games without McCaffrey. Specifically, from Weeks 4-8, Hubbard averaged 12.9 ppg. He was no McCaffrey, but he was a consistently useful fantasy starter.
After McCaffrey returned in Week 9, Hubbard returned to his backup role. However, once McCaffrey reinjured himself in Week 12, the rest of the season didn’t look like the first half.
Hubbard scored a total of 15.3 fantasy points from Weeks 14-16. He did finish the season strong with 15.8 and 13.6 fantasy points in his final two games.
How the Panthers’ depth chart impacts Chuba Hubbard’s fantasy projection for the season
I thought Hubbard was effective enough as McCaffrey’s backup to keep that job in the 2022 season. Evidently, the Panthers felt differently.
They signed Foreman to a one-year deal. The single year means no long-term commitment, but investing any money at all in the running back position suggests an intent to use that player.
Foreman averaged 11.5 ppg from Weeks 12-17 last season. During that span, he had four games of at least 20 opportunities (targets plus carries).
If McCaffrey goes down again, Hubbard will not see the usage he did last season. It will either be a split with Foreman or just the Foreman show.
Hubbard’s ADP for 2022
Hubbard’s ADP is right around RB52. It’s pulled away from Foreman, who is down at RB66. I don’t quite understand why. If McCaffrey goes down, I still like Foreman as the better replacement, but the most likely outcome is an even timeshare.
There are very few teams from which it is justifiable to draft three running backs. The Panthers certainly are not one of them. Since I’d much prefer Foreman at his ADP, I’m passing on Hubbard at his. Hubbard is our consensus RB72, behind Foreman at 57, so we’re in agreement about who the preferred CMC handcuff is.
Fantasy managers understandably have interest in McCaffrey’s direct backup. Unless you’re confident it’s Hubbard, there’s no reason to be spending a roster spot on him ahead of Week 1. That last-round pick is better used on someone else.
