Fantasy Football: Nick Chubb Rookie Profile

Despite being viewed as an inferior talent to former teammate Sony Michel, Nick Chubb is arguably one of the most physically gifted running back prospects in the entire 2018 rookie class. He is often overlooked due to the devastating knee injury that he sustained in 2015, but all reports indicate that Chubb has rediscovered his old form and is medically cleared for a full workload moving forward. Is his history of durability issues a potential red flag or merely a bump in the road for a potential star in the NFL? I ponder both of these scenarios in the sections below, while also providing a glimpse into Chubb’s track record as a reliable running back in the college landscape.

Find out where Andy, Mike, and Jason have Nick Chubb ranked in the Ultimate Draft Kit featuring rookie rankings released after the NFL Draft.

NFL Scouting Combine Overview

Provided his body frame at 5’ 11” / 228 pounds, Chubb delivered exceptional numbers during his time in Indianapolis. In fact, his 4.52 forty time ranked just outside the top-five overall scores at the tailback position. Chubb’s 29 bench press reps tied for first among running backs alongside Saquon Barkley, which is reassuring from an overall strength perspective. He also managed to impress in the vertical jump, as his score of 38.5 inches tied for fourth among his peers. If those accolades weren’t impressive enough, Chubb then solidified his superb athleticism and explosiveness with a 128-inch broad jump. That score trailed only Bo Scarbrough out of Alabama. Simply put, Chubb shattered most expectations at the NFL Combine and elevated his stock in the process with an 89^thpercentile athletic testing score.

Collegiate Production

From a pure rushing perspective, Chubb showcased arguably the most consistent body of work among running backs in the 2018 class during his time at Georgia. He registered a minimum of 200 rushing attempts and 1,100 yards on the ground in three of his four collegiate seasons. Even more, Chubb delivered double-digit rushing touchdown seasons in 2014 (14) and 2017 (15). Both of these statistical categories can be considered prerequisites for success in the NFL, as the significant volume would all but guarantee Chubb solid yardage and touchdown output at the professional level.

Another element of Chubb’s game that deserves more praise is his level of consistency, as he tallied thirteen consecutive 100-yard rushing performances across his freshman and sophomore seasons. Unfortunately, a knee injury that resulted in severe ligament damage derailed his remarkable streak. Nonetheless, Chubb demonstrated that he is a more than capable runner between the tackles during his time in Georgia as a Bulldog.

Fantasy Outlook

While his receiving experience out of the backfield could limit his ceiling as a rookie, there is little doubt that Chubb will contribute on early downs in the NFL. He is a violent runner with deceptive speed and quick feet, which bodes well for his potential impact in fantasy football circles.

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Based on his skill set and usage rate in college, Chubb figures to make an immediate impact in redraft formats this upcoming season. Fantasy owners should prepare to allocate a mid-round selection to secure the rookie’s services, as he will be a coveted asset in standard and half-point PPR scoring formats. It is possible that Chubb will be less valuable in full-point PPR leagues, as his role as a receiver is expected to be rather limited. Regardless, he possesses RB2 upside as a potential threat to reach the century mark in rushing yards or score a touchdown during a given week.

In dynasty structures, Chubb is viewed as a near consensus top-five selection in rookie drafts. Since the NFL Scouting Combine concluded, his startup draft ADP has catapulted into the top-fifty players overall. In other words, the 22-year-old is already being valued as a premier asset based on his prolific resume and impressive athletic profile. While there is some injury risk that needs to be calculated into his cost, the reward is conceivably greater for fantasy general managers. Even if Chubb does not pan out as an elite prospect, his skill set should warrant Flex consideration in weekly lineups due to what should be a safe rushing floor from a volume standpoint.