Welcome to Week 17 of the 2023 Footballguys Roundtable. Our intrepid panel of fantasy pundits discusses and debates four topics every week. We split the conversation into separate features.
This week's roundtable features these four topics:
- Gutsy Championship Lineup Decisions
- Difficult Championship Lineup Decisions
- Hanging on or Hang'Em Up?
- Potential RB Breakout Candidates for 2024 (see below)
Let's roll.
Potential RB Breakout Candidates for 2024
Waldman: Check out this list of running backs who have been productive when on the field this year.
Answer the following about this list of backs.
Who is Most Likely to Deliver Fantasy Starter Production in 2024?
Jordan McNamara: I think Chuba Hubbard is the most interesting player for 2024. He has come in and taken the job of the highest-paid free agent from 2023 in Miles Sanders. Sanders should be back in 2024, but Hubbard is the better player, and I think Sanders' presence will keep away high-level rookie production.
Corey Spala: Chuba Hubbard has the highest chance of delivering starter production next season. Carolina has limited draft capital with numerous holes to fill in their roster. It would not make sense to utilize a selection on a newcomer running back. Hubbard stole the lead role from Miles Sanders and has flourished since Carolina fired Frank Reich and Duce Staley. Hubbard will be entering a contract year and, I would assume, will have a chip on his shoulder during the season.
Adam Wilde: Josh Jacobs is on a one-year deal and may have his fate tied to Interm Head Coach Antonio Pierce. If Pierce does not earn the Head Coaching job, it is unlikely a new regime would be interested in starting their tenure with a hefty Running back contract. Given that Zamir White has proven to be able to handle a workhorse role in Jacob's absence, he would be the obvious choice for the organization moving forward.
Ben Cummins: Chuba Hubbard played well last season and ranked highly in numerous advanced stats. He then stole the starting spot straight away from Miles Sanders this year. Hubbard is a solid player with a 2,000+ rushing yards season in college on his resume. He's the favorite to be Carolina's starting running back in 2024.
Andy Hicks: With Josh Jacobs likely to price himself out of Las Vegas, the team is going to let him test his free-agent status. White has demonstrated the ability to step in for Jacobs and produce. With a new coaching staff, probably, White may need to win the job outright, but his path to the starting job is much easier than the others.
Dan Hindery: Chuba Hubbard is the best bet to retain his starting role in 2024. He will be entering the last year of his rookie deal and has clearly leapfrogged Miles Sanders in the pecking order for the Panthers. Hubbard has played at least 64% of the snaps and had at least 17 touches in five straight games. Sanders has more than $10M in dead money on his deal, which means he could stick on the roster as the backup in 2024. Plus, in terms of positional concerns, the Panthers have much bigger fish to fry elsewhere (offensive line, wide receiver, and tight end just on the offensive side of the ball) and limited draft capital to address those needs.