Week 7 was a devastating week on the injury front. Several big players went down. As a result, fantasy managers are looking to the waiver wire to plug the holes in their rosters.
For fantasy managers who lost a running back, could Carolina Panthers backs D’Onta Foreman and Chuba Hubbard be a form of a solution? How much of a priority are Foreman and Hubbard for fantasy football managers to add off the waiver wire ahead of Week 8?
D’Onta Foreman or Chuba Hubbard: Are Both RBs Viable?
Fantasy managers expected a committee in Carolina following Christian McCaffrey’s departure. Well, we got one.
Hubbard started the game, but this was a clear committee. Foreman played 27 snaps to Hubbard’s 23. Just two routes run separated the two (12-10 Hubbard). Foreman out-carried Hubbard 15-9. However, Hubbard did tweak his ankle late in the game and did not return.
The good news is interim head coach Steve Wilks said they were just being cautious, given the non-competitive nature of the game. With the Panthers blowing out the Bucs, Carolina had no incentive to push Hubbard back onto the field.
The two backs both looked impressive running the ball. Foreman carried it 15 times for 118 yards. Hubbard had 63 yards on his nine carries and was the back who found the end zone. Sadly, I was on the lower for Foreman on Underdog Fantasy. He blew past his number on one really impressive 60-yard third-quarter carry.
Despite Foreman seemingly looking better, I still prefer Hubbard. I said as much on last Friday’s Run the Table podcast.
Although Foreman handled the first carry of the game, it was Hubbard who saw the next seven carries. In fact, nine of Foreman’s carries came after Hubbard left the game with his ankle issue. Prior to that, it was 9-6 in favor of Hubbard.
Going forward, assuming Hubbard is okay (and by all accounts, he is), fantasy managers should expect a slight split in Hubbard’s favor. However, Foreman is still going to be involved. And if he gets hot, he could tip the scales in his favor.
How Aggressively Should Fantasy Managers Pursue Foreman and Hubbard Off the Waiver Wire?
It’s not pretty. No one wants to be starting running backs on bad offenses. But in fantasy football, you have no choice. There are just too few reliable startable running backs out there.
Both Foreman and Hubbard posted top-24 weeks at the position. The Panthers have five more games before their bye and are unlikely to trade for or sign anyone to replace Foreman or Hubbard.
MORE: Week 8 Waiver Wire Pickups
Many fantasy managers rushed out to grab one (or both) of these guys the moment McCaffrey was traded. Heading into this week, you’re in a tricky spot. Each player’s performance will raise their FAAB cost. You may need them, but they probably won’t be worth what you’ll have to spend on them. Nevertheless, you’ll probably have to spend it anyway.
All of that is to say how much you spend is dictated by need. If you need Foreman and/or Hubbard, they are at least startable. I don’t think we will see them both posting RB2 weeks much, if ever again. But the shot is worth taking. I would go 20-25% on Hubbard and 15-20% on Foreman.
If your league still uses the continual rolling list waiver system, I would only put in a claim for them if you need to start them immediately.