Nick Chubb 2025 Fantasy Value
Since being drafted in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft, Nick Chubb has been a popular target in fantasy football drafts. However, after his latest devastating injury, Chubb’s future is up in the air. FullTime Fantasy‘s Nick Chubb 2025 Fantasy Value looks back at his accomplishments and breaks down his potential role in 2025. Nick Chubb, the four-time Pro Bowl running back and Cleveland Browns icon, has long been celebrated as one of the NFL’s premier pure runners. Known for his explosive power, relentless work ethic, and quiet leadership, Chubb’s career has been a testament to both his athletic prowess and his ability to overcome adversity. However, the past two seasons have tested his resilience like never before, with devastating injuries threatening to derail his storied career. As Chubb enters free agency in 2025, his recent viral workouts, past accomplishments, health status, and potential landing spots have sparked widespread intrigue. A Storied Career Drafted in the second round (35th overall) by the Cleveland Browns in 2018 out of Georgia, Nick Chubb quickly established himself as a cornerstone of the franchise. Over seven seasons, he has amassed 6,843 rushing yards on 1,340 carries with 51 touchdowns, averaging an astonishing 5.1 yards per carry (YPC). His consistency is remarkable: until 2024, Chubb averaged at least 5.0 YPC every season, a feat that places him among the NFL’s elite. Key Career Highlights •Four Consecutive Pro Bowls (2019–2022): Chubb’s dominance as a runner earned him recognition as one of the league’s top running backs. •1,525 Rushing Yards in 2022: His career-high season showcased his ability to carry the Browns’ offense, finishing second in the NFL in rushing yards. •Breakaway Ability: In 2019, Chubb led the NFL with 17 Breakaway Runs and a 5.7% Breakaway Run Rate, highlighting his home-run threat on every touch. Chubb’s ability to gain tough yards, paired with his vision and burst, made him a fantasy football darling and a nightmare for opposing defenses. His 52 red zone touches in 2019 ranked fifth in the NFL, though his touchdown efficiency (eight TDs) suggested room for positive regression, which he later capitalized on. Despite sharing the backfield with Kareem Hunt for much of his career, Chubb’s role as the Browns’ lead back remained secure. His rush share and red zone opportunity share consistently ranked among the league’s best. However, injuries in 2023 and 2024 have shifted the narrative, raising questions about whether Chubb can reclaim his elite status. The Injury Saga: Health and Recovery Challenges Chubb’s career has been marred by two significant injuries to his left knee, which have shaped his current trajectory. 2015 College Injury While at Georgia, Chubb suffered a catastrophic knee injury, tearing his MCL, PCL, and LCL. Remarkably, he returned in 2016 to rush for 1,130 yards, though his YPC dropped to 5.0 from his career average of 6.8 at Georgia, hinting at a slight loss of explosiveness. This resilience set the stage for his NFL success, but also foreshadowed the fragility of his knee. 2023 NFL Knee Injury In Week 2 of the 2023 season against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Chubb suffered a gruesome knee injury, diagnosed as tears to his ACL, MCL, and meniscus. The injury required two surgeries and sidelined him for over a year. The severity of the injury, combined with it being the second major trauma to the same knee, led many to question whether Chubb could return to form. NFL Insider Ian Rapoport noted that the injury “would be career-ending for many lesser backs,” but Chubb’s “incredible athleticism” offered hope for recovery. 2024 Foot Fracture Chubb made a triumphant return in Week 7 of the 2024 season, playing in eight games and rushing for 332 yards and three touchdowns on 102 carries. However, his performance was lackluster, with a career-low 3.3 YPC, reflecting a loss of explosiveness. His season was cut short in Week 15 against the Kansas City Chiefs when he suffered a broken foot, which fortunately did not require surgery. Advanced Metrics Post-Injury Yards After Contact (YAC): In 2024, Chubb’s Yards After Contact per Attempt dropped to 2.1, down from a career average of 3.2, per Pro Football Focus (PFF). This suggests diminished power and ability to break tackles. Elusiveness Rating: PlayerProfiler’s Elusiveness Rating for Chubb in 2024 fell to the 30th percentile among running backs, a stark contrast to his pre-injury 80th percentile rankings. Breakaway Run Rate: His Breakaway Run Rate plummeted to 1.9% in 2024, compared to 5.7% in 2019, indicating a significant reduction in long-gain potential. These metrics paint a picture of a player who, while still functional, was a shadow of his former self in 2024. However, Chubb’s recent viral workouts suggest he’s far from finished. A Glimmer of Hope Throughout his recovery, Chubb has showcased his superhuman strength and determination through viral workout videos that have captivated fans and analysts alike. These displays of power have fueled optimism about his potential comeback in 2025. July 2024: 540–585-Pound Squats This is #Browns RB Nick Chubb squatting 540+ pounds—just 8 months after undergoing multiple significant knee surgeries. Insanity.pic.twitter.com/JlWnad2Wdm — Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) July 15, 2024 Eight months after his second knee surgery, Chubb was filmed squatting 540 pounds with ease, a video that garnered 417 votes and 100 comments on Reddit’s r/fantasyfootball. Just days later, FOX Sports reported him squatting 585 pounds, an astonishing feat for a 227-pound running back recovering from major knee surgery. These lifts demonstrated that Chubb’s lower-body strength remained intact, a critical factor for a power runner. April 2025: 500+ Pounds and Power-Cleaning 405 Mannn, Nick Chubb power-cleaning 405 after knee injuries & a broken foot just ain’t human pic.twitter.com/qGvxIoNHf7 — Jon Tweets Sports (@jontweetssports) April 29, 2025 In April 2025, Chubb posted an Instagram video squatting over 500 pounds, accompanied by the caption, “They’ve already wrote my ending when I’m just getting started.” The NFL’s official X account amplified the video, noting its jaw-dropping nature. Implications of the Workouts While squatting massive weights is impressive, it doesn’t directly translate
