Entering Week 4, we watch NFL teams begin to take shape into who they will become for this season. Two teams with dark and stormy futures are the Cleveland Browns and the Carolina Panthers. However, as fantasy football managers, we still need both teams’ running back collectives to rise above the issues and produce.
We have had mixed production from running backs Jerome Ford and Chuba Hubbard. Both running backs have us questioning who we should start between the two for Week 4 this year. So who is the proper play?
Should You Start Jerome Ford or Chuba Hubbard in Week 4?
In the Pro Football Network Start/Sit Optimizer, PFN’s Consensus Rankings say Ford is the player to start. Ford is projected to score 10.8 fantasy points against the Las Vegas Raiders. His projection totals consist of 44.8 rushing yards and 17.3 receiving yards on 2.3 receptions.
Hubbard’s projections are a little lower, creating 10.2 total fantasy points against the Cincinnati Bengals. His projection totals consist of 49.1 rushing yards and 14.5 receiving yards with 1.9 receptions.
Although neither running back truly excites me, I disagree with the Optimizer and would start Hubbard, who has shown signs of life with Andy Dalton under center in Carolina. Both running backs face easier matchups for their position this week, but with Hubbard coming off of a hot game, we will ride the lightning in Week 4.
Ford’s Fantasy Outlook This Week
Ford faces a potentially season-changing matchup this week against the Raiders, who have allowed the fourth-most rushing yards this season. Their three touchdowns relinquished on the ground are tied for sixth in the NFL this season. The Raiders’ defense even allows the third-most fantasy points per game to the running back position. Everywhere you look, you see a potentially strong fantasy outlook for Ford this week.
The issue with Ford is, like the rest of the Browns offense, he hasn’t shown us anything special to trust him this year. His 145 rushing yards is 26th overall. Although TruMedia ranks him 13th with 5.0 yards per rush, his yards before contact per rush is third overall. This stat shows us the offensive line is the reason for the success he has seen so far.
His yards after contact per rush drop significantly as he ranks 31st. He gathers what the line gives him but not much more once the defenders reach him. He is a good running back but not a game-changing one in fantasy football.
Hubbard’s Fantasy Outlook This Week
It’s hard to love a Carolina Panthers player. However, they looked like a completely different team in Week 3. Hubbard has created 5.2 yards per rush, seventh-best in the NFL. His 11 first-down rushes are 14th in the NFL, showing how he can help move the chains for this team. Hubbard is a playmaking running back, as his yards after contact per rush rank sixth in the NFL.
#Panthers RB Chuba Hubbard on his O-Line's dominant performance vs. the Raiders 📈
"Certain runs where you see guys get thrown out the club right in front of you." 🤣@Hubbard_RMN @heykayadams @Panthers pic.twitter.com/INK8DvzVH9
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow)
The Panthers could utilize that skill against the Bengals’ rush defense, which allows the 10th-most rushing yards in the NFL. The Bengals struggle to keep running backs out of the end zone, as they are tied for the third-most touchdowns allowed this season to running backs. Hubbard should find and extend his lanes throughout the game Sunday to elevate our fantasy rosters.