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Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson, Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard, and San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (shoulder) are popular fantasy options heading into Week 12, so it's important to know which ones you can trust as starters and which ones may need to see the bench.
Of course, it will depend on the size of your league, the scoring format you're playing in, and the other options available on your roster or in free agency. In general, production at certain positions is harder to replace than others.
So, should you start Watson, Hubbard, and/or Purdy this week?
Should I Start Christian Watson for Fantasy Football?
The Packers offense is frustrating to figure out for fantasy managers because it seems like different players go off each week. However, digging a little deeper into the usage of their receivers in different formations can yield important insight into what to expect from Watson in particular.
Christian Watson's @pff recieving grade by depth.
Deep (20+): 93.0 (Elite)
Medium (10-19): 96.1 (Elite)
Short (0-9): 90.9 (Elite)Can we get this guy some more targets, please?
— Jacob Morley (@JacobMorley) November 20, 2024
Despite clearly being an excellent receiver, Green Bay insists on giving WR Romeo Doubs a full-time role on the outside, while switching out Watson and fellow wideout Dontayvion Wicks on the other side of the formation and having receiver Jayden Reed play full-time in the slot.
Pro Football Focus's Nathan Jahnke broke down the snap counts and routes run for each GB WR -- Doubs ran 18 routes and was targeted twice, Watson had 15 routes and four targets, Reed ran 12 routes and earned one target, and Wicks ran six routes and was not targeted. At least Watson had 2.5 times as many routes as Wicks.
Four targets are very discouraging. The long passes won't work every week, and the lack of a full-time role in the offense hurts his fantasy value immensely. He'll play against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 12, and they could force the Packers to run more pass plays, but he's a very risky WR3/flex play and should only be started in leagues with 14+ teams for now.
Should I Start Chuba Hubbard for Fantasy Football?
Yes. Hubbard should be an every-week starter due to his volume, the quality of the run blocking of the Panthers offensive line, and head coach Dave Canales' excellent run blocking schemes. Hubbard is the RB12 on the season for a few reasons, and he's proved that he's a good RB.
Fun fact - Chuba Hubbard has finished as a RB1 in 5 of 10 Weeks.
Hubbard was being drafted as the RB43. pic.twitter.com/goeVzWFucB
— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) November 15, 2024
Unfortunately, the Panthers will face the best run defense in the NFL when they take on the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 12, so Hubbard projects as an RB2 in this matchup. It will feature the debut of rookie RB Jonathon Brooks (knee), who's set to take his first NFL snaps on Sunday.
Jonathon Brooks looks ready 👀 pic.twitter.com/3A4alCHGTk
— Blande (@JustBlande) November 21, 2024
Hubbard hasn't been very effective in the passing game -- he's caught 30 passes for just 124 yards and a touchdown in 11 games. 4.1 yards per catch isn't great. Brooks may have a very limited workload, but he's the better pass-catching back. He was elite in that area in college and was drafted in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft for a reason.
Should I Start Brock Purdy for Fantasy Football?
Yes. Purdy technically has an injury, but it's been described as right shoulder soreness. Understandable when you've been throwing footballs as hard as you can and running the ball a bit. This is a fairly simple decision to make. He'll have tight end George Kittle (hamstring), wide receivers Deebo Samuel Sr. and Jauan Jennings (amid a breakout year), and running back Christian McCaffrey to throw it to.
#49ers QB Brock Purdy has right shoulder soreness and now will be considered day to day, per Kyle Shanahan pic.twitter.com/r6MIPO3ER9
— OurSF49ers (@OurSf49ers) November 18, 2024
That's a great pass-catching corps. Doesn't hurt to have Kyle Shanahan, an elite offensive mind, as the coach. The offensive line is a question mark, but Purdy is the QB8 on the season and should be started in all leagues for Week 12.
UPDATE: It appears that Purdy may be struggling more than expected with his shoulder issue. Stay updated on this evolving situation.
Brock Purdy shuts himself down mid practice. pic.twitter.com/RITVVT967p
— Grant Cohn (@grantcohn) November 21, 2024
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