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Javonte Williams and Chuba Hubbard are not among the names one will bring up when discussing the topic of lead running backs. Both of them are currently on teams with little to no chance of making the playoffs, especially when their respective teams have struggled to efficiently score points and win games.
But with the Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos clashing on Sunday, there has to be a fantasy footballer's choice to start between them. So, who gets the nod?
Is Javonte Williams a good fantasy pick in Week 8?
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In his last game, Javonte Williams had a strong performance at his head coach Sean Payton's former team, New Orleans Saints. He rushed 14 times for 88 yards and two touchdowns against a front seven that boasts Pro Bowlers Cameron Jordan and Demario Davis, easily establishing himself as the best weapon player in the game.
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He gets another chance to shine against the Panthers, who are already very short on men on the defensive side of the ball. Pro Bowl defensive end Derrick Brown is already out for the season with a torn meniscus, and they are also sorely missing veteran linebacker Shaq Thompson. That leaves only one-time All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowler Jadeveon Clowney as the only notable player.
Is Chuba Hubbard a good fantasy pick in Week 8?
Chuba Hubbard was never supposed to be a focal point in Charlotte. When he was drafted in 2021, expectations of him were that he would back up Christian McCaffrey for as long as they remained Panthers.
Then the future Offensive Player of the Year was traded to the San Francisco 49ers. It seemed as if he would finally get his day; but Scott Fitterer instead picked up recent Pro Bowler Miles Sanders in free agency, seemingly curtailing his chances of starting again.
But then something unexpected happened. Hubbard outplayed his peer and got the starting spot that he wanted. Seven games into this season, he is already at 537 yards against Sanders' measly 132.
And he can add significantly to the tally on Sunday. If the Panthers' front seven was already bad, the Broncos' is even worse - not a single All-Pro/Pro Bowler/impact player is in there.
Javonte Williams vs. Chuba Hubbard: Whom should I start?
Sportskeeda's Start/Sit Tool makes the answer clear: it is Chuba Hubbard taking this one.
The Panthers may have only one credible front seven player in Jadeveon Clowney, but it is still better than their opponents' zero. He may be able to single-handedly carry the game defensively and deny Javonte Williams chunk plays.
And on the other side of the ball, Dave Canales has more options to open up the running game with a passing threat. Jonathan Mingo, Diontae Johnson, Xavier Legette and even Ja'Tavion Sanders represent a better core than an overworked Courtland Sutton and Marvin Mims; and that may prove the difference.
