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There are several approaches you can take when it comes to how you want to build your dynasty football team. Hero RB is my personal favorite, which is where you take one running back early to help carry your team before focusing on other areas of need. There are only a handful of running backs that can fit into this approach, so it is important that you get the right one for your dynasty team. One such running back is the Cleveland Browns’ Nick Chubb.
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What’s New?
There are few running backs that have tread on the tires like Nick Chubb does at his age. The Cleveland Browns have utilized a running back by committee (RBBC) for the last several years, and while Chubb is on the back end of his career, he is poised for big results this coming season. One of the reasons for this is because of the RBBC approach that the Browns used when their backfield primarily consisted of Chubb and Kareem Hunt. Now, however, with Hunt’s departure from the team, you can expect Chubb to take on a bigger role in the offense.
This is saying something seeing as how Chubb has been an RB1 three out of the five years he has been in the league in full PPR scoring. His best finish was last year when he finished as RB6 on the season after Kareem Hunt’s attempts dropped almost in half from his previous full season. Now that Hunt is out of the picture altogether, Chubb has less competition in the backfield and should be the dominant lead back.
What do the Numbers Say?
Nick Chubb took full advantage last year as Hunt took a step back in the offense, rushing for 1525 yards and an impressive 5.05 yards per carry (YPC). What is even more impressive is that Chubb has never been below 5 YPC on average in his five-year career, sitting at 5.24 YPC on average. He has also maintained an average of 9.6 touchdowns a year, scoring at least 8 every season. This is the kind of efficiency you want to see from a Hero RB.
The one area of improvement that you would hope to see from him is in the receiving game. His highest targeted season came the year when Hunt joined the team about halfway through the year. This is where I expect him to take the next step and become a 3-down back for the Browns. Without Hunt, Chubb should have an easy path to taking on more receptions. If he can add on an extra twenty targets this season, then Chubb should be looking at gaining an extra ten to twenty points, which would have put him in the top-five conversation this past season.
Looking at the fantasy numbers, Nick Chubb has an average of 15.4 points per game (PPG) over the course of his career. This is low-end RB1, high-end RB2 numbers, which does cause some concern. These are the kind of numbers you want from your Hero RB as a minimum, but the fact that he has so consistently hit these benchmarks gives a certain amount of comfort in knowing he will not be a bust. Even if he doesn’t take on a bigger role with the departure of Hunt, Chubb will at least be as productive as he has been.
What’s the Start-Up Cost?
A startup is where you are typically going to decide what strategy you are going to go with for your team. This is especially promising when it comes to Nick Chubb because of where he’s going in the draft. This is because, in 1 QB league, he is not going until the end of 2nd or beginning of the 3rd round. In 2 QB leagues, that is getting pushed back a whole round. This means you can target at least one high-valued receiver, tight end, or quarterback before even addressing the Hero RB.
This is one of the reasons I love Chubb so much for this kind of approach to a draft. It gives you even more flexibility in the draft to target big names, especially if you are drafting early. I mean, you have the chance to walk away with Justin Jefferson and Nick Chubb if you are drafting at the 1.01 spot. That is a legit start to any team.
What About Trading for Chubb?
If looking at trading for Chubb, it is going to cost you, but it is worth it. There are a few approaches you can take, such as downgrading at wide receiver while upgrading at running back. For example, you could look at shipping DK Metcalf or DeVonta Smith with a running back like Rachaad White for Nick Chubb and, say, Amari Cooper or Jahan Dotson. This will give you the ability to stay competitive with having downgraded at wide receiver while giving you a better running back to make up that difference at receiver.
Another approach you can take is by trading future assets for Chubb. This will probably require you to give up multiple assets, one of which would have to at least be a 1st round pick. Still, I would happily give up a 1st and a 2nd if it means I have a solid foundation at running back, like what you will get with Chubb.
One concern is that he is under contract for the next two years, which is less than what I typically prefer to have. With what he brings to the table, though, especially if I’m in a position to go back to back, I’m taking the risk with Chubb and selling my future picks for him. In fact, while writing this, I just went and made trade offers for him in leagues I’m in because I realized I don’t have enough of him in my life.
What Are Your Thoughts?
What do you think about Nick Chubb being a Hero RB candidate? Would you run into the season with him as your primary back? What would you give up to acquire him? Who would you rather target as your Hero RB if you went with that approach? Let me know in the comments!
For more from Richard and his Razzball content, find him on Twitter @gingerbe3rdman.
