Kareem Hunt Start/Sit Week 6: Hunt is a surefire RB1

When you drafted Kareem Hunt in your fantasy football drafts this summer, you knew exactly what you were getting yourself into — one half of the best running back duo in the NFL. Fortunately, Cleveland features both running backs enough to make both Hunt and Nick Chubb excellent options. 

Hunt managers now find themselves in an enviable position as Chubb is set to sit out this week with an ankle injury. So, what should we expect out of Cleveland’s backfield?

Kareem Hunt is an RB1 Week 6

No team in the NFL has rushed for more yards per game this year than the Browns (187.6). They also lead the way with the most rushing attempts, having handed the ball off 175 times through five games, 3 more than the Tennessee Titans. 

Hunt is a highly efficient running back working behind a top-tier offensive line. Among running backs with at least 50 carries so far this season, Chubb is second in the NFL with 5.8 yards per carry. Hunt is fifth with 5.4. Both of these backs are big, fast, elusive, and capable of being a bell cow in any offense. 

Cleveland also has the luxury of going against an Arizona Cardinals defense this weekend that has given up the fourth-most rushing yards per game to opposing running backs (139.0).

I’m not sure what else to tell you — this is a smash spot. Hunt is already the RB5 in half-PPR scoring, even with Chubb in the picture. He’s done so averaging 11 carries and 4.2 targets per game. Hunt has every opportunity to see the biggest workload he’s had this season against a poor run defense. Lock it in — Hunt is an RB1.

Hunt has been elite when featured

Hunt burst onto the scene in 2017 after being selected in the third round by the Kansas City Chiefs. As a rookie, Hunt led the NFL with 1,327 rushing yards, adding 53 receptions for another 455 yards. He finished as the overall RB4 behind Todd Gurley, Le’Veon Bell, and Alvin Kamara — pretty dang good company.

Since arriving in Cleveland, Hunt has had to split the backfield with Chubb. But he’s gotten plenty of work when Chubb hasn’t been on the field. When Chubb was on injured reserve for four games in 2019, Hunt was given a healthy 19.8 opportunities (rush attempts plus targets) per outing.

Cleveland will certainly get D’Ernest Johnson and Demetric Felton on the field while Chubb is sidelined. Still, Hunt is undeniably poised for a healthy workload and has the resume to prove that he’s more than capable.