Week 10 at Miami Dolphins
Nick Chubb went into the bye coming off his 5th 100-yard rushing game against the Bengals in Week 8. There's no reason to worry about Chubb as a fantasy option, though just be aware Miami ranked 7th in rush defense DVOA and are allowing the 2nd-fewest yards per carry. Still, as one of the best pure runners in the league, Chubb is almost matchup-proof.
Week 8 vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Nick Chubb bounced back nicely from his low (at least for his standards) performance against the Patriots with 107 total yards and a touchdown. That's 6/7 games with 100+ total yards and 5/7 with a touchdown. This week, it's a home divisional game on Monday night against the Bengals, who rank top-ten against the run in DVOA. Last year, Chubb's run included a Week 9 showing of 163 total yards (137 rushing) and two touchdowns in Cincinnati. In fact, in two of his last three games against the Bengals, Chubb has rushed for over 120 yards and two touchdowns. Let's see if that streak continues for Chubb.
Week 7 at Baltimore Ravens
Nick Chubb only saw 12 carries last week because Cleveland had to ditch the run (Jacoby Brissett threw 45 times), resulting in Chubb's worst fantasy day this season and his first game all year where he didn't hit 100 total yards. He should bounce back this week against the Ravens, who rank 24th in DVOA run defense. Last week will likely go down as a minor speed bump on Chubb's season. He's still a solid RB1 every week.
Week 6 vs. New England Patriots
Sure enough, Nick Chubb went nuts against the Chargers to the tune of 134 yards and two touchdowns. That's four games already with 100+ rushing yards and at least 100 total yards in all five games so far. Add to that four straight games with a touchdown (7 total) and there's no debate anymore. He does face one of his toughest tests yet, as New England is allowing the fifth-fewest fantasy points to running backs. But this is Nick Chubb we're talking about here. You're starting him and you're not thinking twice about it.
Week 5 vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Nick Chubb is a stud. There's really no question on his starting ability. He has 100 yards rushing in three games already and has scored a touchdown in three straight games. A fourth game in both categories is very much a possibility against one of the worst run defenses in the league so far in the L.A. Chargers. The only downside continues to be the lack of pass-game usage for Chubb, but the rushing yards more than make up for it.
Week 4 at Atlanta Falcons
Another week, another 100-yard performance from Nick Chubb. Arguably the best pure runner in the league today, Chubb is pretty much a lock for lineups anymore, regardless of matchup. This week, he faces the Falcons, who check in at No. 22 in our running back matchup rankings and rank 27th in rush DOVA on defense. A third 100-yard rushing performance is very much in the cards for Chubb this week as the offense continues to revolve around him.
Week 3 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Nick Chubb scored three touchdowns against the Jets, perhaps regretting the third touchdown. But, nonetheless, another strong fantasy day for Chubb as he continues to lead the charge in the backfield. This week, he faces the Steelers, a team that actually kept Chubb in check last season, holding him to about 60 rushing yards in each game and not allowing him a single touchdown. But like every other week with Chubb, the sheer volume he continues to receive (39 carries through two weeks) makes him a strong option regardless of who he is playing.
Week 2 vs. New York Jets
Nick Chubb showed yet again why he is one of the best running backs in the game today. Cleveland gave him 22 carries and he took those carries for 141 yards against the Panthers. He will be a lot to handle for the Jets, though the Jets did flash strong run defense last week against the Ravens.
However, Chubb saw just one target in the passing game while Kareem Hunt saw four, including his touchdown. Hunt also saw 11 carries, so there's enough work to make Hunt seem like a vulture. The two also saw nearly the same number of snaps. In fact, Hunt out-snapped Chubb, 45-42.
All that said, Chubb is just too good and will produce no matter what. There's enough in Cleveland to make both backs fantasy-relevant. Lock Chubb into your lineups this week.
Week 1 at Carolina Panthers
The Browns officially begin their time without QB Deshaun Watson for 11 games starting Sunday against the Panthers. That means Jacoby Brissett will start for the time being. As a result, the Browns may rely on the run game to limit what they put on Brissett's plate. Cleveland still has their stable of running backs and should still have Kareem Hunt and perhaps D'Ernest Johnson involved as well. But Nick Chubb should see a ton of work Sunday. You drafted him high and you won't have to worry about him. Go ahead and fire him up as your RB1 or RB2.
2022 Fantasy Upside
Nick Chubb is one of the best running backs in the league today. If you draft Chubb, you know you’re going to get plenty of points from him as he is one of the few running backs in fantasy you can feel very safe with. In all likelihood, you’re going to get a top-12 running back when it’s all said and done, as he has three straight top-12 finishes including RB10 in 2021. He had eight games with at least 80 yards rushing and five games with at least 100. There’s a lot to love about Chubb.
2022 Fantasy Downside
If we’re going to nitpick Chubb’s fantasy outlook, it’s that he wasn’t all that involved in the passing game, catching only 20 passes for 174 yards, so he won’t tack on many PPR points for you. There’s also the whole quarterback situation and whether Deshaun Watson will actually be able to play or if it will be Jacoby Brissett for the time being. Cleveland also still has Kareem Hunt and D’Ernest Johnson in the backfield, so Chubb won’t always get a full workload.
2022 Bottom Line
Chubb is extremely talented and one of the best in the business. He’s being drafted as a top 12-15 running back, meaning he may make it to round two but not much longer after that. But for a late-first/early-second, you’ll feel very good about Chubb as your RB1.
