The biggest news in Charlotte this week is that the Carolina Panthers benched last season’s No. 1 overall draft pick, Bryce Young, in favor of veteran Andy Dalton.
For fantasy managers, many will probably look at this roster and ask if there is any fantasy value left on this team. And given the change at quarterback, perhaps the running back position could be a source of optimism for fantasy managers.
But which of the Panthers’ two best running backs should they consider putting in their lineups this week, Chuba Hubbard or Miles Sanders? Here’s the fantasy football outlook for both players.
Should You Start Chuba Hubbard or Miles Sanders This Week?
In the Pro Football Network Start/Sit Optimizer, PFN’s Consensus Rankings say that Hubbard is the player to start. His projected 8.3 points include 40 rushing yards, two receptions, and 12 receiving yards.
While that doesn’t seem like a big stat line, it outperforms the consensus projection for Sanders (5.5 points, 32 rush yards, one reception, five receiving yards).
Chuba Hubbard speaks to the media. https://t.co/Mlj2a1F3PQ
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) August 2, 2024
My ranking of these two Carolina running backs aligns with the consensus. I feel the Panthers just saw what can happen when Hubbard is provided more touches, and I think that trend will continue in Week 3.
Chuba Hubbard’s Week 3 Fantasy Outlook
While Hubbard’s overall numbers aren’t impressive, a game-by-game breakdown reveals how much better Hubbard performed in Week 2 than in Week 1.
Hubbard, who had just six touches in Week 1 for the Panthers, had more than twice as many as last week (14). The result was a fantasy output of 11.6 points, and while that wasn’t overly impressive, it was a significant upgrade from Week 1 (1.4 fantasy points).
While it’s true that it is difficult to envision any player on this current roster coming up with productive fantasy games at the moment, I feel as if Hubbard has a chance. The increase in touches last week and the production that followed — 64 rushing yards, four receptions, 12 receiving yards — could mean even more is in store this weekend.
With Dalton under center for this game, there should be at least a little more stability and calmness on the field when the Panthers have the ball on offense. I expect Dalton to lean on the running backs to help things run smoothly offensively, which, to me, means more Hubbard in Week 3.
Miles Sanders’ Week 3 Fantasy Outlook
Despite being only 27 years old, Sanders, at times, simply doesn’t look like a player who has much left in the tank. Last week, Sanders was on the field for 42% of the Panthers’ offensive snaps.
His numbers?
There are 20 rushing yards (2.9 yards per carry), three receptions for five yards (1.7 yards per reception), and 5.5 fantasy points. By the way, that more than doubled his fantasy output from Week 1 (2.2 fantasy points).
In the Panthers’ dream plan, Sanders would provide capable production in a backup role. But that has been far from the case this season for most of Sanders’ career in Carolina.
There isn’t much of a choice here for fantasy managers looking at these two running backs. Hubbard should be the pick this week.