RADIO
Kareem Hunt 2019 Outlook: Is Eight Really Enough?
6 years agoTalent has never been the issue with Kareem Hunt. After leading the NFL in rushing as a rookie in 2017, he was on pace to do the same in 2018 before off-field issues derailed his season and almost his career. In 11 games, Hunt had 824 rush yards and seven touchdowns on 181 carries. In the passing game, he was also dominant with 26 receptions for 378 yards and an additional seven touchdowns.
In 2019 he will not only be on a new team in the Cleveland Browns, but unlike his first two seasons with Kansas City, he will also be in a true committee back scenario with Nick Chubb. In addition, he will miss the first eight games of the season, and with the Browns having a Week 7 bye this means the first nine games of your fantasy season. Is this someone you want to draft and hold until then in hopes he can win you playoff games? Currently, Hunt is going off the board as the RB33. This means he is going in front of options like Jordan Howard and LeSean McCoy. This is a dangerous proposition as we don’t know how he will be used once he does come back. No, Nick Chubb is not a pass catcher, but Duke Johnson is. If Johnson has a solid first eight games, Cleveland may not be able to take him out in favor of Hunt. We know Chubb is going to be the first and second down back as long as he is healthy. So again. What of Hunt if Johnson pans out and Chubb is healthy?
While Kareem Hunt could add explosiveness to any offense, the Browns will not want to rock the boat if things are clicking on all cylinders. Hunt's contract is only for $1 million, and in today’s NFL, this is chump change. Cleveland will not want to have Chubb lose any confidence by reducing his role in favor of someone who may or may not be on the team in 2020. I refer you to the adage, better safe than sorry. In this case, it means it is safer for you not to draft him and let someone else do it. If they are struggling later in the season, you might be able to trade for him cheap, and if there is any value in him, you will have him. If you can’t trade for him? Well, then there are other backs out there who will help you all season which are a better seventh-round pick. Do not waste a pick this high on someone who won’t be available until Week 10.
