Week 7 vs. Cincinatti Bengals
Kareem Hunt didn't need too many touches to make a huge impact. He carried the ball 10 times for 80 yards, and caught five passes for 105 yards (with a touchdown). That averages out to 12 yards per touch, which is just ridiculous for a running back. Hunt is averaging over 100 yards per game and has scored in five straight, making him an easy RB1 this year.
His high production should continue this week in a favorable matchup against the Bengals. Cincy is allowing the ninth-most fantasy points to opposing RBs, giving up 117.2 rush yards per game and 4.6 yards per carry. Hunt is a strong RB1 choice in Week 7.
Week 6 at New England Patriots
After a bit of a slow start, Kareem Hunt has found a nice rhythm now. He's scored in three straight games, while averaging over 100 yards per game in that span. He's proved he can be productive in this offense at the same time as Patrick Mahomes' emergence, and picked up where he left off in 2017.
He gets a decent matchup against the Patriots this week, who have only allowed one score on the ground to backs this season, but haven't really been lockdown when it comes to yards. Hunt should perform just fine, and can be viewed as an RB1 in a matchup that will likely have a ton of points.
Week 5 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Kareem Hunt finally had that breakout game that made him a star a season ago. He finished with 175 total yards (121 rushing, 54 receiving) and a score. He received about the same amount of carries as normal, he was just a lot more effective with his touches.
But expect him to drop those numbers a bit this week as he gets a tough matchup against the Jaguars. Jacksonville hasn't been a shutdown defense against backs, but the Jags have done enough to halt monster fantasy games. It's reason enough to lower your expectations of Hunt as he should be viewed more as an RB2.
Week 4 at Denver Broncos
Kareem Hunt didn't impress too many people running the ball last week, but he made fantasy owners happy with his two touchdowns. He's now scored in back-to-back games, although he's finished below 50 yards twice this season now. He hasn't been as effective as a year ago, but as long he scores, he carries value.
He gets a decent matchup this week as the Broncos have been about middle-of-the-pack when it comes to defending running backs. Expect an average game from Hunt with a chance for some goal-line carries. He should be viewed as a low-end RB1 play.
Week 3 vs. San Francisco 49ers
While Patrick Mahomes has been tearing up the NFL, Kareem Hunt has been putting up modest numbers. He's essentially a non-factor as a receiver, hauling in just one pass through two games (although it was a TD). But he's been fine on the ground, rushing for 49 and 75 yards, respectively.
He gets a decent matchup this week against the 49ers, who have allowed at least 80 yards rushing to backs in each game this season. Look for Hunt to continue to get his touches and make an impact, especially against a favorable opponent. We like him as a strong RB1 play this week.
Week 2 at Pittsburgh Steelers
Kareem Hunt didn't look like the player we grew to love a year ago. The second-year back finished with just 49 yards on 16 carries (3.1 yards per carry) with zero touchdowns and zero receptions. Part of the problem is he just didn't have much time to get in a groove with big plays from the passing game and special teams.
He'll look to improve from his Week 1 effort in a Week 2 game against the Steelers. Pittsburgh looked good last week stopping the run, but we're not letting that worry us too much. We like Hunt as a low-end RB1 heading into Week 2.
Week 1 at Los Angeles Chargers
Kareem Hunt exploded last season for the Chiefs and he'll look to continue that success in 2018. There's really no reason to expect a major drop in production from him this year. He's the starter in a good offense with good talent surrounding him.
He gets a solid matchup in Week 1 against the Chargers, a team he had a lot of success against a year ago. In his first matchup, he ran for 172 yards. In his second matchup, he ran for 155 yards (with 51 yards receiving as well).
You likely selected Hunt high in your fantasy drafts for a reason. He should be viewed as an RB1 play in Week 1.
Fantasy Upside
Kareem Hunt exploded onto the scene as a rookie last season, finishing as the fourth-highest scoring RB in fantasy. He had a really strong start, scoring six touchdowns in his first three games, finishing with 11 total scores on the season. He was also productive both on the ground and as a receiver, finishing with 10 games of at least 100 scrimmage yards.
Fantasy Downside
The Chiefs’ offensive coordinator from last season, Matt Nagy, moved on to Chicago, so it’ll be interesting to see what play-calling differences there will be in 2018 as it relates to Hunt. The Chiefs brought in a new deep threat in Sammy Watkins, and are handing the reins over to strong-armed Patrick Mahomes at QB.
Also, the whole reason why Hunt had an opportunity to play last season was due to Spencer Ware tearing his MCL and PCL. Ware is back this season, and although Hunt will start, we could see Ware steal some touches from Hunt this season.
2018 Bottom Line
Hunt is easily one of the most desirable backs in fantasy this year due to his production from a year ago. We see no reason why he’d have a major dropoff. While the play-calling changes carry a bit of a risk, it’s nothing to be overly concerned about. Hunt is a solid RB1 selection near the end of the first round.
Wild Card Round vs. Tennessee Titans
Kareem Hunt had a bit of a down period midway through the 2017 season, but ever since Andy Reid gave up playcalling duties, the rookie has exploded once again. He didn't even play much last week (5 snaps) and he still managed to score a 35-yard touchdown on his only carry of the game. In the three games before last week, he averaged 150 scrimmage yards per contest and scored a total of 4 touchdowns.
He gets a tough opening matchup against the Titans, though, as Tennessee has only allowed four ground scores to a back all season. Oddly enough, the Titans have allowed more receiving scores (5) to the position in 2017.
Despite the tough matchup, we like still like Hunt as one of the top RB choices this week. Even if he struggles on the ground, he's a talented player out of the backfield (three games over 50 receiving yards) and can contribute that way, if needed.
Week 17 at Denver Broncos
Ever since Andy Reid gave up playcalling duties, Kareem Hunt has re-emerged as a star. He's had at least 100 scrimmage yards and a touchdown in three straight games. However, it's unclear just how much playing time he'll get this week.
The Chiefs are locked into their playoff spot and are starting rookie QB Patrick Mahomes. There's been no word about how much, or if, Hunt will play this week. If he plays the entire game, he'd be a strong start as an RB1. But the uncertainty leaves him as a low-end RB2. Situations like this are why you don't play fantasy football in Week 17.
