Nick Chubb remains out this week. Meanwhile, Kareem Hunt practiced in full and has been removed from the injury report. That means *checks notes* that, yep, he’s a fantasy must-start this week. Insert obvious eye roll.
But just how much should he dominate in fantasy football? Is he a Must-Start on DraftKings at $6800? Should you eat the 25% ownership chalk and ride the Hunt Train?
In Week 2, Hunt saw a decent share of the work when he last played the Bengals. He ran the ball 10 times for 86 yards and a touchdown to go along with two receptions for 16 yards and another score. The team as a whole steamrolled the Bengals for 210 yards and 3 TDs on the ground.
In short, Hunt was already a monster as the number two against the Bengals. Imagine what he’ll do as the lead guy?
Over the last two weeks without Chubb, Hunt has seen 40 opportunities and converted that into 150 total yards and a touchdown.
While Hunt’s two games without Chubb haven’t been the most efficient of sorts (3.94 yards per touch) it is worth noting his brutal two game stretch. Squaring off against the Steelers (2nd vs RBs) and the Colts (9th vs RBs) and still producing for fantasy bodes well for Hunt in a smash spot this week.
The Bengals rank 22nd against fantasy RBs on the season. They allow 5.2 yards per carry to opposing running backs as well as four rushing touchdowns, giving Hunt a high rushing floor this week.
Hunt’s fantasy juices will be squeezed in the receiving game. The Bengals have allowed 25 receptions for nearly 7 yards per catch and one touchdown (to Hunt week two) to opposing RBs this season.
*data courtesy of @SamHoppen*
Hunt sees half of his targets as he gets closer to the goal line and 10% (darkest green) in the end zone. In a game that has an over/under of 50.5 points, scoring opportunities will be abundant. Neither team should have much difficulty moving the ball and this game holds sneaky shootout potential.
Concerns over Hunt’s status coming into the game should be wadded up and thrown in the trash can. Ian Rapaport is reporting that Hunt is one of multiple Browns players that do not carry an injury designation coming into the game.
Hunt, at $6,800 on DraftKings is a smash cash-game play. In tournaments, his 25% ownership is worth eating if you fade Alvin Kamara (33% ownership), especially if you stack a bargain Joe Burrow ($5500) and Tee Higgins ($5300) on the other side.
Still, The Wolf prefers pivoting to Ronald Jones if looking to differentiate. He comes $500 cheaper and will be far lesser-owned, but could outscore Hunt against the abysmal Raiders run defense.
Regardless, Hunt is The Wolf’s No.3 RB in Week 7 Fantasy Football Rankings. He was already locked into your lineup, and could go completely berserk.
The bigger question will come next week, and whether or not you should sell Hunt high as Chubb’s return looms large?
