Week 13 at Pittsburgh Steelers
Kareem Hunt had his worst game as a member of the Browns last week in terms of overall yards (46), but he did score his first touchdown for Cleveland. Hunt has had a very steady role since returning from suspension with snap count percentages of 54%, 55% and 57%. This week he'll face a tough Steelers defense he played OK against just a few weeks ago. Hunt finished 6-12 on the ground and 6-46 as a receiver in that game. Expect a similar type of role in Week 13, which would make him an RB3 or flex option.
Week 12 vs. Miami Dolphins
Kareem Hunt has carved out a role in Cleveland's offense as a pass-catching back. In fact, if you play in full PPR formats then Hunt has out-scored Nick Chubb in his two games so far this season. Hunt's finished 7-44 and 6-46 as a receiver while adding in a few rushes to help his numbers out. He's developed into a decent RB2 option for PPR leagues and should be viewed as such this week in a great matchup against the Dolphins. It should be worth noting, though, that Miami has allowed the sixth-fewest receptions to backs in 2019. Still, we like Hunt as a lower-end RB2 or strong flex play in Week 12.
Week 11 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Kareem Hunt looked valuable in his first game with the Browns last week. He played a significant 54% of the offensive snaps, rushing four times for 30 yards. But his bigger role was as a receiver where he caught seven passes for 44 yards on nine targets. He and Chubb often played on the field at the same time, so playing time shouldn't be too much of an issue. He's still clearly less valuable than Chubb, but he has some flex appeal most weeks. He's a lower-end flex play in Week 11 against the Steelers, just because it's a tough matchup. Pittsburgh is allowing the sixth-fewest fantasy points to running backs.
Week 10 vs. Buffalo Bills
Kareem Hunt is back from his suspension this week, but it's practically impossible to predict what his role will be. We'd expect him to have a small role as a third-down type back, similar to what Dontrell Hilliard has been doing. Hilliard's played 38% and 40% of the offensive snaps over the past two weeks with 12 total touches (six in each game). You can likely expect similar production from Hunt, which would make him a weak flex play.
Fantasy Upside
Kareem Hunt has been one of the most dominant running backs in football over the past two seasons. In 27 games, he’s averaged about 80 rushing yards, 30 receiving yards, three receptions and almost a touchdown per contest (25 TDs). In short: he’s a really, REALLY good football player.
Fantasy Downside
The major downside to Hunt is he’s facing an eight-game suspension by the league. The Browns also have a bye during that span, so the earliest you’ll be able to use Hunt is in Week 10. And if you’re a smart fantasy owner, you wouldn’t be willing to trot him out the first week without seeing how the team uses him. So that puts him in your lineup at the earliest in Week 11, which gives you just five fantasy games with him. Is it worth using a draft pick on a guy who will be sidelined for most of the season?
2019 Bottom Line
Even when Hunt does return, there’s no way of knowing how the Browns will use him. Nick Chubb is comfortably in the starting role, and the team still has Duke Johnson to cloud things as well (although that could change). Hunt carries so many risks and it just seems like a waste of a roster spot in your fantasy league to draft him, especially with his current ADP.
Week 13 at Oakland Raiders
UPDATE: Kareem Hunt has been released by the Chiefs and placed on the Commissioner’s Exempt List. He is unlikely to play again this season.
Original Outlook
Kareem Hunt finished with 111 total yards (70 rushing, 41 receiving), while also finding the end zone. He now has a touchdown in every game but two this season as well as at least 80 yards in all but two games. He's a big factor in the Chiefs' high-powered offense, and should continue to produce at a high rate.
He gets a favorable matchup this week against the Raiders who have allowed at least 110 rushing yards to backs in every game but two this season. In fact, Oakland is allowing the most rush yards per game (151.4) as well as the fifth-most yards per carry (4.9). Hunt can be viewed as a strong must-start RB1 option.
Week 11 at Los Angeles Rams
Kareem Hunt finished with 96 total yards last week, and ended his eight-game streak of scoring touchdowns. Even though it wasn't a huge game for Hunt, he still had plenty of touches and played well enough to warrant a start.
He should bounce back with a strong game as he gets a pretty favorable matchup this week against the Rams. L.A. has struggled to stop the run in recent weeks, allowing over 100 rushing yards to backs in three straight games along with five ground scores to the position. This should be a high-scoring game, giving Hunt plenty of opportunities to find the end zone. He's a strong RB1 play this week.
Week 10 vs. Arizona Cardinals
You would think with Patrick Mahomes playing so well it'd be difficult for Kareem Hunt to perform like an RB1 every week, but you'd be wrong. Hunt has excelled in 2018 and he had a monster three touchdown game last week. He now has 13 total scores on the season, and has 995 scrimmage yards. That's good production for a whole season, and he has it in nine games.
He gets a favorable matchup this week against the Cardinals who have allowed the second-most fantasy points to opposing backs. Arizona has allowed six games of 110+ rushing yards to RBs this season. The Cardinals also have allowed the third-highest ground scores to backs (10) this season. Hunt is a must-start RB1 play.
Week 9 at Cleveland Browns
Kareem Hunt didn't have a wild day last week, but he played very well. He finished with 86 total yards and a touchdown, making it seven straight games with at least one score. He's also had at least 80 yards in five consecutive games. He really has no competition in the backfield, so he should continue to put up big numbers.
Making things even better, Hunt gets a favorable matchup this week against the Browns. Cleveland has given up six games of 90+ rush yards to backs this season while also allowing a league-high 10 rushing scores on the ground to the position. Hunt should be in for a big day and can be trusted as a strong RB1 option.
Week 8 vs. Denver Broncos
Kareem Hunt had another big game, finishing with 141 total yards and three touchdowns last week. He made plays on the ground and through the air as he continues to put up large numbers in this juggernaut of an offense in Kansas City. He's scored in six straight games while averaging 120 yards per game in that span.
He gets a good matchup this week against the Broncos who surprisingly stopped David Johnson in Week 7, but had allowed two 200+ yard ground games in the weeks prior. We've already seen Hunt dominate vs. Denver as he had 121 yards on 19 carries earlier in the year. Hunt should be a strong RB1 play this week.
