- Chuba Hubbard’s breakout 2024 season results in comparatively excessive expectations: Hubbard dealt with a top-10 workload in 2024 en path to an RB1 end, although replicating that quantity — and the outcomes — might show difficult in 2025.
- Kenneth Walker is primed to bounce again in 2025: Though accidents restricted his availability, Walker’s workload when wholesome gives loads of optimism for his 2025 outlook.
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This fantasy soccer article sequence breaks down the hardest draft-day choices dealing with fantasy managers, utilizing Underdog’s common draft place (ADP) as a information. Each installment compares equally ranked gamers on the similar place, utilizing key stats from earlier seasons and contextual components — together with staff state of affairs — to determine the higher decide.
Today’s matchup will spotlight Carolina Panthers working again Chuba Hubbard and Seattle Seahawks working again Kenneth Walker III, as we decide the most suitable choice on the finish of Round 5 in 2025 fantasy drafts.
CHUBA HUBBARD (RB18) vs. KENNETH WALKER III (RB19)
Hubbard took over because the Panthers’ lead again in 2024 and carried out nicely sufficient to earn an in-season contract extension, ending as a fantasy RB1 for the primary time in his profession. While he’s not anticipated to repeat that stage based mostly on his present ADP, expectations are a lot larger than they had been getting into final season, when he was thought of extra of a sleeper candidate.
Walker has carried lofty expectations since getting into the league however has seen his fantasy end dip every year, from RB18 in 2022 to RB20 in 2023 and RB25 in 2024. Injuries have performed a task in that decline, however his expertise and alternative nonetheless supply RB1 upside if he can keep wholesome in 2025.
UTILIZATION IN THE RUNNING GAME
Hubbard’s expanded position in 2024 propelled him right into a top-10 rating on the place in alternatives per recreation (20.1), and he completed top-12 in each carries (250) and targets (52). He efficiently held off Miles Sanders and in addition benefited from an injury-shortened rookie season for Jonathon Brooks. While Hubbard will face competitors once more in 2025, his manufacturing and familiarity with Dave Canales’ offense make him the favourite to prepared the ground in most key classes.
Walker averaged 18.6 alternatives per recreation — good for a top-12 mark on the place — and posted 16.5 fantasy factors per recreation. Despite a career-low 153 carries, he achieved profession highs in total dashing grade (91.3) and missed tackles pressured (61). With Walker firmly atop the depth chart in Seattle, a full and wholesome season might lastly yield the RB1 manufacturing many have been ready for.
UTILIZATION IN THE PASSING GAME
Hubbard was concerned on passing downs however struggled to make an impression, ending with a 39.5 receiving grade — 57th out of 58 qualifying working backs. Even with a strong 52 targets (tied for twelfth amongst RBs), he ranked 57th in yards per route run and scored only one receiving landing. While it is laborious to be much less environment friendly than he was final 12 months, the larger concern for 2025 is whether or not the Panthers start phasing him out of that position.
Walker, in the meantime, set a brand new profession excessive in targets (52) regardless of enjoying a career-low variety of video games in 2024. He overtook Zach Charbonnet because the staff’s major receiving again — a reversal from 2023 — aided partly by Geno Smith rating fifth in complete RB targets (101) and throwing to backs on 17.5% of his passes. However, Sam Darnold is now on the helm and has traditionally focused working backs at a below-average price (13.5%), which might restrict Walker’s receiving upside.
UTILIZATION IN SCORING RANGE
Hubbard dominated goal-to-go carries in Carolina final season, changing seven of his 10 dashing touchdowns from these high-leverage conditions. His 113 crimson zone snaps had been among the many greatest on the place, which is particularly notable given the Panthers’ below-average complete crimson zone performs as a staff.
When wholesome, Walker was clearly Seattle’s prime choice in scoring conditions, out-snapping Zach Charbonnet in each the crimson zone and goal-to-go eventualities regardless of lacking six video games. The Seahawks’ belief in Walker close to the objective line will likely be key if he’s going to push for double-digit touchdowns for the primary time in his profession.
TEAM-LEVEL SITUATION
The Panthers ranked nicely beneath common in run price final season, primarily attributable to incessantly enjoying from behind. That might change in 2025 if Bryce Young builds on his robust end to 2024, doubtlessly permitting the staff to lean extra on the run, an space the place they quietly excelled final season behind a top-10 run-blocking unit.
The Seahawks additionally ranked close to the underside of the league in run price final 12 months, however with Klint Kubiak taking up as offensive coordinator, that quantity is predicted to rise in 2025, even when simply to league-average ranges. Kubiak’s previous offenses have usually favored the run, and any uptick would place Walker as the first beneficiary, even when he continues to share passing-down work with Charbonnet.
POTENTIAL 2025 BACKFIELD COMPETITION
Rico Dowdle joins the Panthers’ backfield after main all Cowboys working backs in carries and manufacturing in 2024. While he’s unlikely to copy that position in Carolina, Dowdle’s strong exhibiting as a first-year starter suggests he might take some work off Hubbard’s plate this season. Given that, it wouldn’t be stunning to see a extra balanced workload within the Panthers’ run recreation in comparison with Hubbard’s top-10 utilization price final 12 months.
Charbonnet logged a career-high 135 carries in 2024 and turned them into eight dashing touchdowns, however a lot of that quantity stemmed from Walker’s injury-related absences. Charbonnet’s involvement ought to reduce in 2025 until Walker misses extra time. He beforehand dealt with many of the passing-down work as a rookie, however in video games when Walker was wholesome final season, that position shifted extra towards Walker — a development that reinforces his outlook heading into this 12 months.
While the ultimate determination is yours, don’t go into your draft blind. Check out PFF’s newest fantasy soccer rankings to see precisely the place Chuba Hubbard, Kenneth Walker and the remainder of your targets stack up heading into 2025.