The Carolina Panthers will not be a good football team this season. However, there are players like Chuba Hubbard that we need to consider for our fantasy rosters.
We are writing an article about Hubbard on the waiver wire because he is only 71% rostered on Sleeper so far this season. This statistic is mindblowing due to the fact we will not see Jonathan Brooks for the first four weeks as he was placed on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, leaving Hubbard as the starter in Carolina. Does this make the 29% that hasn’t put Hubbard on a team crazy? Let’s discuss what he brings to the table for our team and if he is worth the roster spot for your fantasy football roster.
Should Chuba Hubbard Be Added on the Fantasy Waiver Wire in Week 1
If you are avoiding Hubbard because you deem him only beneficial for the first four weeks, you incorrectly identify running backs for your roster. Last season, Hubbard rushed for 902 yards, the 20th-best in the NFL. Hubbard also had few chances to punch the ball in the endzone as he only scored five touchdowns, which was the 21st best in the NFL. His receiving game didn’t add much to the table either, as he only produced 233 receiving yards, the 24th-best in the NFL. There is a reason why the Panthers grabbed Brooks in the draft, and it’s because they needed to elevate their running back room to help their team win in the NFL.
The stat line may suggest not drafting Hubbard, but the game narrative argues otherwise. For running backs, volume is crucial. It’s a rare find to come across a starting running back on the waiver wire after your draft. By strategizing your season in quarters of four games, you can accurately assess the present and the near future, giving you a strategic edge over your opponents. If you evaluate your rankings in this four-week window, Hubbard could potentially offer more value than you initially anticipated.
Do not be foolish and skip this starting running back to start your season. Hubbard will face three opponents in his first four games that allow a top-15 most fantasy points per game (FPPG) to the running back position.
Even after the first four weeks, Hubbard will have his place within the offense. Brooks will not return and be 100% off the PUP. Instead, it will take a week to three weeks to ramp up to 100% in conditioning and game speed. At that point in the season, what is the Carolina Panthers record?
If the record is putrid, the Panthers have no reason to place wear and tear on their young running back. At that point, you could have used a waiver claim for a starting running back for the entire 2024 campaign in Carolina.