This is the point in the fantasy football season where each trade, waiver, or start/sit decision has more levels. We have to take into account not just this week but the fantasy playoff schedules.
We have to think about our position in the playoff race and how our decision also affects our opponents. So a simple should you trade one running back for another question should be thoroughly vetted. So, let’s figure out if we should sell Pittsburgh Steelers RB Najee Harris for Carolina Panthers RB Chuba Hubbard.
Najee Harris Fantasy Value Rest of Season
Harris has not performed as well this season as he did previously. Not only does he no longer catch 8-10 passes a game, but he’s not in the backfield by himself.
Harris has become much less efficient with QB Kenny Pickett, but he’s a running back in the NFL who gets double-digit touches each week, so there is still substantial value here.
Most of Harris’ value is in his name and past performance, as Jaylen Warren has essentially taken over the lead-back role, with the former earning only a 48% rushing share over the last three games.
Harris has averaged 12 carries for 45 yards and a 67% chance at a touchdown in that span, along with three catches for 21 yards. We have Harris ranked as the RB28 this week in the PFN Consensus Rankings, which I see being a relatively consistent ranking for him in the future.
Harris has a plus fantasy playoff schedule, however, with all three opponents in Weeks 15-17 ranking in the bottom half of defenses against fantasy RBs. If you include Weeks 12-14, he has six straight favorable matchups against the league’s bottom half against running backs.
Chuba Hubbard Fantasy Value Rest of Season
Hubbard is a former college rushing champion who has backed up the likes of Christian McCaffrey, D’Onta Foreman, and Miles Sanders since the Panthers drafted him. Hubbard has always been serviceable whenever he has been called on to step in for an injury, but this year, he has passed Sanders as the current lead back.
The Hubbard ascension (65% rush share in the last three games) has been a surprise to many, but he’s produced with an average of 17 rushes for 58 yards and 2.3 catches for 12.3 yards in the last three games.
MORE: Should You Start Chuba Hubbard or Miles Sanders in Fantasy Football in Week 10?
We have Hubbard ranked No. 22 this week, and I see that as his ceiling. I see him as more of an RB3 the rest of the way since Sanders is getting healthy. Additionally, Hubbard has a brutal fantasy championship matchup against the No. 2 ranked Jaguars and three top 10 defenses in Weeks 13-15.
Should You Trade Harris for Hubbard in Week 10?
The PFN Trade Analyzer sees this as a fairly even trade for the rest of the season, with a slight edge going to Hubbard.
I can see why someone would want to trade a player with declining opportunities for one with increasing, but I disagree with this trade. I would not trade Harris for Hubbard.
I see the advantage in the schedule for the road to the playoffs and the playoffs themselves as too big an advantage to offer Harris for Hubbard straight up. If you were to get another quality piece in addition to Hubbard, then it could work, but be aware that Hubbard will not help you in the fantasy playoffs as much as you may think.
Looking to make a trade in your fantasy league? Having trouble deciding who to start and who to sit? Setting DFS lineups? Check out PFN’s Start/Sit Optimizer and DFS Lineup Optimizer to help you make the right decision!