Yahoo Fantasy Cram Session - Nick Chubb or Kareem Hunt in Cleveland?
Yahoo Sports' Andy Behrens, Liz Loza and Matt Harmon discuss Cleveland's backfield, including which RB could be a better fantasy option in 2020.
Video Transcript
LIZ LOZA: Some Nick Chubb truthers, fans, are feeling a little bit piqued in themselves considering that Kareem Hunt's role. And at least, like, the hype around him continues to build, right? There's been some beat reporters who have said that both Chubb and Hunt will receive 15 carries a piece, that starts to limit Chubbs upside and adds to Hunt's upside.
I wrote an all upside team article, and Kareem Hunt was the flex on that article. I don't know how you can't love him where he at least was going, again, now that that ADP has started to climb. What's your take on this backfield in Cleveland, understanding, of course, that Kevin Stefanski, a Kubiak acolyte, will be focusing more on the run in a league that remains very much a passing league?
ANDY BEHRENS: Well, I think Nick Chubb is about as good as it gets as a runner, right? Like, I think he's-- I think he's absolutely top tier. The concern, obviously, is that as soon as Kareem Hunt entered the picture last year, that guy took all the receptions out of the backfield, right? Nick Chubb caught, I think it was-- I think it was 11 balls in the second half of the season after Kareem Hunt returned.
And if it looks anything like that this year, and again, new coaching staff, and some grown ups on the coaching staff. Like, we have every reason to think that this is going to be, like, a more legit coaching staff with actual, like, sensible plays called near the goal line. That should be fun. But if it looks anything at all like last year, Kareem Hunt took a lot of those receptions.
I still think Nick Chubb near the goal line should be a dominant player and can win a rushing title still. Like, I'm going to be surprised if it's anything close to a 50/50 split because I think there is a real edge for Nick Chubb in terms of the ability to just run the football. Like, there's-- it's him and it's Saquon and it's not many other guys that I would put in that upper tier of just pure early down runners.
LIZ LOZA: I agree with his talent. But he was, and you can't deny the facts when, in week 10, Hunt was added. He was just less effective in the red area of the field. And that was-- he wasn't nearly as efficient. I mean, he received more red zone TOTs, an average of three and a quarter per game. But he only converted two scores.
Hunt managed more touchdowns admittedly, you're right. The receiving works certainly helped him out in that regard. But are we willing to say, well, it was the end of the year, and it was a very long year for the Browns. And Andy, I know that you always say, and I have adopted this as my own motto, talent is the tiebreaker.
And so Chubb should remain a, you know, end of the first round, early second round pick depending on how players are falling in drafts.
ANDY BEHRENS: Yeah, I'm not-- I'm not taking him at the end of the first round and have not been. Like, if he's fallen to me in the middle of the second round, that's the point at which I'm like, well, OK. I'm dealing with some second and third tier backs. And again, the upside I think for Chubb is he is always going to be a rushing title.
I think that's definitely in play for him. But Hunt is just a huge factor. I mean, he's a gifted receiving back who I, I think if you prorated his season last year, it's about 70 catches. And that's workload that is clearly not going to Nick Chubb if both are healthy.