RB Kareem Hunt, KC (2 Viewers)

[dmac37]

Tampa Bay on line one . . .

This is Merica, the land of 2nd chances. I still dream of a return 2 year stint where the Chiefs bring him back.... I know, I know but that would be awesome for everyone, maybe including public relations as a 2nd chance feel good story.

TB would also be awesome.

 

[Faust]

ESPN Cleveland's Tony Grossi doesn't expect the Browns to re-sign free agent RB Kareem Hunt.​

The Browns didn't add a running back in the draft outside of signing UDFA Hassan Hall. Re-signing Hunt would give Cleveland an upgrade behind Nick Chubb but the Browns plan has been to move forward with Jerome Ford and Demetric Felton as their backups. Hunt, who will be 28 at the start of next year, may wait until the preseason to sign with a team.
RELATED:

• Cleveland Browns

SOURCE: ESPN Cleveland
May 20, 2023, 12:01 PM ET

 

[JohnnyU]

I'm not so sure he will ever be fantasy relevant again and may end up being waiver wire fodder pretty soon. He's not the same RB as in years past........I don't think........I hope I'm wrong.

 

[Bri]

A huge percentage of rookie RBs lose their shine when they can't catch smoothly and can't pickup the blitz- since not every team has a third down back scat back role, teams should have a developmental grooming RB position.
That said, Hunt could absolutely hold the fort for a year as a sub and there's a few others still available too.
I think teams NOT doing this forces them to re-draft another back and put more time into the player and ultimately gets pretty wasteful.

With a strong veteran market, there's not a lot of reason to have an extremely young RB corps

 

[JohnnyU]

I saw this thread bumped and thought he might have signed with someone. As a one share owner :sigh:

 

[menobrown]

I rarely walk out of a draft without him on my team and I mean redraft.In dynasty I'm the only guy in any of my league to cut him, just had a tight roster crunch but I redrafted him in round 3 and that was kind of plan when I cut him.

I don't think he's done and has a lot more in gas then his fellow unemployed vet RB's, Elliot and Fournette. Players are human and sometimes things around them impact their play. He tried a one day hold-in last year and Browns were having none of it. He did not really want to be traded, he wanted an extension. Security. Instead all year he plays under constant trade rumors and knowing one way or another he was likely out in Cleveland after the season Again players are human and handle things differently but the lack of security/feeling wanted might have been messing with him. He took basically a year off after his incident and I don't think he's had the usage in his career that he should be in a position already were he's toast or has lost a considerable amount.

That he's not on a team right now might be a blessing in disguise as he can now pick his spot post draft, and maybe even wait till an injury. I'm not trying to be prisoner of the moment and worry he's not on a team, that will come and I'm trying to get ahead of the curve.

 

[JohnnyU]

I rarely walk out of a draft without him on my team and I mean redraft.In dynasty I'm the only guy in any of my league to cut him, just had a tight roster crunch but I redrafted him in round 3 and that was kind of plan when I cut him.

I don't think he's done and has a lot more in gas then his fellow unemployed vet RB's, Elliot and Fournette. Players are human and sometimes things around them impact their play. He tried a one day hold-in last year and Browns were having none of it. He did not really want to be traded, he wanted an extension. Security. Instead all year he plays under constant trade rumors and knowing one way or another he was likely out in Cleveland after the season Again players are human and handle things differently but the lack of security/feeling wanted might have been messing with him. He took basically a year off after his incident and I don't think he's had the usage in his career that he should be in a position already were he's toast or has lost a considerable amount.

That he's not on a team right now might be a blessing in disguise as he can now pick his spot post draft, and maybe even wait till an injury. I'm not trying to be prisoner of the moment and worry he's not on a team, that will come and I'm trying to get ahead of the curve.

Great analysis, thanks. Very well said.

 

[Da Franchise]

I rarely walk out of a draft without him on my team and I mean redraft.In dynasty I'm the only guy in any of my league to cut him, just had a tight roster crunch but I redrafted him in round 3 and that was kind of plan when I cut him.

I don't think he's done and has a lot more in gas then his fellow unemployed vet RB's, Elliot and Fournette. Players are human and sometimes things around them impact their play. He tried a one day hold-in last year and Browns were having none of it. He did not really want to be traded, he wanted an extension. Security. Instead all year he plays under constant trade rumors and knowing one way or another he was likely out in Cleveland after the season Again players are human and handle things differently but the lack of security/feeling wanted might have been messing with him. He took basically a year off after his incident and I don't think he's had the usage in his career that he should be in a position already were he's toast or has lost a considerable amount.

That he's not on a team right now might be a blessing in disguise as he can now pick his spot post draft, and maybe even wait till an injury. I'm not trying to be prisoner of the moment and worry he's not on a team, that will come and I'm trying to get ahead of the curve.

Do you have any feel for his level of commitment to the game? I wonder about how well he takes care of himself off the field. I’m certainly in no position to judge but he had the run in with an open container. It’s just one incident obviously but I don’t have much more to go on.

You’re right about his usage and expecting him to still have some juice, but if he drinks a lot that would provide a different explanation than being distracted by contract security. The contract stuff is a valid theory too, but he did look different to me just on the eye test last year. More sluggish, less burst than I remember which is the first time I recall thinking that.

I’m not trying to jump to conclusions on the guy at all, those are just the thoughts that have crossed my mind when trying to figure how I value him.

 

[JohnnyU]

I thought it was a bad move to sign with Cleveland in the first place. I know he had just went through some legal problems, but he couldn't have chosen a worse spot, if he had a choice. @Da Franchise asked "Do you have any feel for his level of commitment to the game?".

 

[menobrown]

Do you have any feel for his level of commitment to the game? I wonder about how well he takes care of himself off the field.

I do not know how he takes care of himself other then the eye test and he's not looked out of shape. He keeps a real low profile on social media, not the kind of guy posting hype/workout videos but he's always looked in shape.

No idea on his commitment to the game so just spitballing here but he wanted to go to Cleveland. It seemed to mean a lot to him to try and return to his hometown team and have success and be part of the turnaround. I recall when he got pulled over with that open container and some other comments he's made some real remorse that the Chiefs won the SB without him. So winning seems to matter, I think he really loves the game, that's not necessarily the same as commitment however but he seems like a football guy to me.

Short story I don't think I can answer either of these questions with much degree of certainty but I've not had reasons for concern.

Now if I wanted to play devils advocate for an anti-Hunt stance I'd go another direction. Starting with fact he was available for trade last season and no one stepped up. We can't know for sure what Cleveland wanted in return but I'm guessing it was not a ton and not much more then Jeff Wilson and James Robinson got back in trades. Wilson at least made sense because of it was an in-season trade and he knew the system. That's actually worse to me then what has transpired in FA because I don't know if someone offered him a contract but he is holding out for more money/role/multiple year deal. But the combo of lack of trade interest and heavy or possibly even light FA interest is the most anti-Hunt stance I can take. Pretty easy to make a compelling argument the NFL is telling us what they think.

 

[MAC_32]

I don't think he's done and has a lot more in gas then his fellow unemployed vet RB's, Elliot and Fournette.

He doesn't have much gas left in the tank, but agree that he's optimal to players like those 2. While his current abilities as a runner are easily replaced he's still an asset in the passing game.

 

[Bracie Smathers]

JosinaAnderson@JosinaAnderson
I’m told the #Commanders have quietly been making some preliminary inquiries behind-the-scenes on free agent RB Kareem Hunt, per league source. We’ll see if this leads to an opportunity for Hunt with Washington.

---

Don Fowler
@donf0615
He played for Eric Bieniemy … makes sense

 

[travdogg]

JosinaAnderson@JosinaAnderson
I’m told the #Commanders have quietly been making some preliminary inquiries behind-the-scenes on free agent RB Kareem Hunt, per league source. We’ll see if this leads to an opportunity for Hunt with Washington.

---

Don Fowler
@donf0615
He played for Eric Bieniemy … makes sense

Feel like a Hunt addition makes that backfield nothing more than flier worthy, likely a 3-man RBBC. Would think it would hurt Gibson more than Robinson but could also see Hunt being more of an insurance policy if his down year last year is just who he is now.

Other than the Bieniemy connection, its a meh fit in my opinion.

 

[JohnnyU]

JosinaAnderson@JosinaAnderson
I’m told the #Commanders have quietly been making some preliminary inquiries behind-the-scenes on free agent RB Kareem Hunt, per league source. We’ll see if this leads to an opportunity for Hunt with Washington.

---

Don Fowler
@donf0615
He played for Eric Bieniemy … makes sense

Feel like a Hunt addition makes that backfield nothing more than flier worthy, likely a 3-man RBBC. Would think it would hurt Gibson more than Robinson but could also see Hunt being more of an insurance policy if his down year last year is just who he is now.

Other than the Bieniemy connection, its a meh fit in my opinion.

I agree with this assessment.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

JosinaAnderson@JosinaAnderson
I’m told the #Commanders have quietly been making some preliminary inquiries behind-the-scenes on free agent RB Kareem Hunt, per league source. We’ll see if this leads to an opportunity for Hunt with Washington.

---

Don Fowler
@donf0615
He played for Eric Bieniemy … makes sense

Feel like a Hunt addition makes that backfield nothing more than flier worthy, likely a 3-man RBBC. Would think it would hurt Gibson more than Robinson but could also see Hunt being more of an insurance policy if his down year last year is just who he is now.

Other than the Bieniemy connection, its a meh fit in my opinion.

The only positive spin would be Bienemy saw Robinson and Gibson in OTAs and decided to go get Hunt.
I agree though it’s an odd fit.

 

[JohnnyU]

JosinaAnderson@JosinaAnderson
I’m told the #Commanders have quietly been making some preliminary inquiries behind-the-scenes on free agent RB Kareem Hunt, per league source. We’ll see if this leads to an opportunity for Hunt with Washington.

---

Don Fowler
@donf0615
He played for Eric Bieniemy … makes sense

Feel like a Hunt addition makes that backfield nothing more than flier worthy, likely a 3-man RBBC. Would think it would hurt Gibson more than Robinson but could also see Hunt being more of an insurance policy if his down year last year is just who he is now.

Other than the Bieniemy connection, its a meh fit in my opinion.

The only positive spin would be Bienemy saw Robinson and Gibson in OTAs and decided to go get Hunt.
I agree though it’s an odd fit.

I still think NE is the best fit.

 

[travdogg]

JosinaAnderson@JosinaAnderson
I’m told the #Commanders have quietly been making some preliminary inquiries behind-the-scenes on free agent RB Kareem Hunt, per league source. We’ll see if this leads to an opportunity for Hunt with Washington.

---

Don Fowler
@donf0615
He played for Eric Bieniemy … makes sense

Feel like a Hunt addition makes that backfield nothing more than flier worthy, likely a 3-man RBBC. Would think it would hurt Gibson more than Robinson but could also see Hunt being more of an insurance policy if his down year last year is just who he is now.

Other than the Bieniemy connection, its a meh fit in my opinion.

The only positive spin would be Bienemy saw Robinson and Gibson in OTAs and decided to go get Hunt.
I agree though it’s an odd fit.

I still think NE is the best fit.

I think the best fit would be someone who could use a pass catching back. Hunt can still make a difference there, I'm not sure he does rushing. That's not Washington or New England in my opinion.

Minnesota, Jacksonville, Baltimore, and maybe Carolina?

 

[menobrown]

The only positive spin would be Bienemy saw Robinson and Gibson in OTAs and decided to go get Hunt.

Pretty much what I was thinking and I'd think he'd be the best RB on the team....and it still does not excite me.

 

[JohnnyU]

JosinaAnderson@JosinaAnderson
I’m told the #Commanders have quietly been making some preliminary inquiries behind-the-scenes on free agent RB Kareem Hunt, per league source. We’ll see if this leads to an opportunity for Hunt with Washington.

---

Don Fowler
@donf0615
He played for Eric Bieniemy … makes sense

Feel like a Hunt addition makes that backfield nothing more than flier worthy, likely a 3-man RBBC. Would think it would hurt Gibson more than Robinson but could also see Hunt being more of an insurance policy if his down year last year is just who he is now.

Other than the Bieniemy connection, its a meh fit in my opinion.

The only positive spin would be Bienemy saw Robinson and Gibson in OTAs and decided to go get Hunt.
I agree though it’s an odd fit.

I still think NE is the best fit.

I think the best fit would be someone who could use a pass catching back. Hunt can still make a difference there, I'm not sure he does rushing. That's not Washington or New England in my opinion.

Minnesota, Jacksonville, Baltimore, and maybe Carolina?

I thought Belichick loved his pass catching backs and longed for another James White?

 

[Faust]

Free-agent RB Kareem Hunt not frustrated by lack of market: 'I'm just being patient'

 

[Ministry of Pain]

It slipped my mind that he is currently a free agent.
I still thought he was sitting in a Browns uniform, maybe just thought he was still hanging out in Cleveland.
I'm surprised nobody wants this guy or can't find room for him.
Low mileage despite his age, can do many things and has done well when he was a featured back. I would say he mostly has been a back up or 2nd RB in Cleveland.

I would assume he will be signed when camps are in full swing.
He's being patient and teams are also being patient waiting to sign these RBs or try and make moves to acquire someone else's RB.
Did either RB from Vegas or New York sing their franchise tag?
Lot fo things still up in the air right now in the RB market, it might still be a while before Hunt's phone rings with a real offer.

 

[JohnnyU]

It slipped my mind that he is currently a free agent.
I still thought he was sitting in a Browns uniform, maybe just thought he was still hanging out in Cleveland.
I'm surprised nobody wants this guy or can't find room for him.
Low mileage despite his age, can do many things and has done well when he was a featured back. I would say he mostly has been a back up or 2nd RB in Cleveland.

I would assume he will be signed when camps are in full swing.
He's being patient and teams are also being patient waiting to sign these RBs or try and make moves to acquire someone else's RB.
Did either RB from Vegas or New York sing their franchise tag?
Lot fo things still up in the air right now in the RB market, it might still be a while before Hunt's phone rings with a real offer.

Patient or not, he's not the same RB we once knew IMO.

 

[dmac37]

I'm going to take a reasonable shot in the dark move that will move Hunt into RB1 territory. Bengals move on from Mixon and sign Hunt for cheap.

From 32 beat writers:

“The endgame will be about whether or not (Mixon’s) willing to realign his $12.8M cap hit and $10M in cash to the current state of the RB market. If he’s not, the Bengals will probably tap into the veteran backwaters at the position…his situation hasn’t even come to a head yet”

 

[JohnnyU]

I'm going to take a reasonable shot in the dark move that will move Hunt into RB1 territory. Bengals move on from Mixon and sign Hunt for cheap.

Keep Mixon over Hunt. Hunt's days in the RB1 territory are over and have been for a few years. If the Bengals sign Hunt that could change, but don't view Hunt as the same Chiefs RB from years ago. IMO that would be foolhardy.

 

[ericttspikes]

It slipped my mind that he is currently a free agent.
I still thought he was sitting in a Browns uniform, maybe just thought he was still hanging out in Cleveland.
I'm surprised nobody wants this guy or can't find room for him.
Low mileage despite his age, can do many things and has done well when he was a featured back. I would say he mostly has been a back up or 2nd RB in Cleveland.

I would assume he will be signed when camps are in full swing.
He's being patient and teams are also being patient waiting to sign these RBs or try and make moves to acquire someone else's RB.
Did either RB from Vegas or New York sing their franchise tag?
Lot fo things still up in the air right now in the RB market, it might still be a while before Hunt's phone rings with a real offer.

Patient or not, he's not the same RB we once knew IMO.

His stats say this is the case, but I took him at RB 69 in a recent best ball and I think that's well worth a June draft roll of the dice compared to guys like Malik Davis and Keanotay Ingram. If Hunt signs somewhere I feel he'd a least be worth guys like that and probably more depending on the situation. I'm ok with him as a RB 6 gamble at this point.

 

[Savatage79]

With Mattison getting a little banged up, seeing that Vikings are potentially eyeballing Hunt.... He's gotta land somewhere, don't we think?

 

[travdogg]

With Mattison getting a little banged up, seeing that Vikings are potentially eyeballing Hunt.... He's gotta land somewhere, don't we think?

Honestly, maybe/maybe not.

I've always kind of wondered if Hunt was valued by the NFL after his off field incident. There were always trade rumors, but nothing that even got serious, and now he's been in FA forever. I honestly think he's valued lower than a guy like Fournette.

The Vikings "eyeballing" Hunt is probably just an update the rolodex situation, just like I suspect Dalvin Cook/Darrell Henderson were in NE. Just a, "hey we've talked to this guy and gauged his interest if none of our young guys look any good.

 

[RenegadeRoy]

Feel like he's going to be one of those guys that gets signed by an injury stricken team mid season, people burn a ton of FAAB on him, and he's a dud.

He looked pretty gassed at points last season.

 

[Bri]

He has to sign soon or he's probably done.
At the end of camp, many RBs will be cut and it'll muddy the waters with younger backs in the pool

 

[Mitchie]

He has to sign soon or he's probably done.
At the end of camp, many RBs will be cut and it'll muddy the waters with younger backs in the pool

someone will get hurt though, that's prob what some of these guys are factoring in

 

[Dr. Octopus]

He has to sign soon or he's probably done.
At the end of camp, many RBs will be cut and it'll muddy the waters with younger backs in the pool

someone will get hurt though, that's prob what some of these guys are factoring in

There’s like 5-6 RBs waiting for someone to get hurt now though.

 

[BobbyLayne]

He has to sign soon or he's probably done.
At the end of camp, many RBs will be cut and it'll muddy the waters with younger backs in the pool

someone will get hurt though, that's prob what some of these guys are factoring in

There’s like 5-6 RBs waiting for someone to get hurt now though.

Curious who are the 1-2 non-obvious names?

1) Dalvin Cook
2) Kareem Hunt
3) Ezekiel Elliott
4) Leonard Fournette

 

[Dr. Octopus]

He has to sign soon or he's probably done.
At the end of camp, many RBs will be cut and it'll muddy the waters with younger backs in the pool

someone will get hurt though, that's prob what some of these guys are factoring in

There’s like 5-6 RBs waiting for someone to get hurt now though.

Curious who are the 1-2 non-obvious names?

1) Dalvin Cook
2) Kareem Hunt
3) Ezekiel Elliott
4) Leonard Fournette

Maybe I was a bit hyperbolic going off the top of my head - but there’s a few lesser veterans still out there as well that have had some NFL success like JD McKissic, Mark Ingram, Rex Burkhead and Justin Jackson.

 

[BobbyLayne]

He has to sign soon or he's probably done.
At the end of camp, many RBs will be cut and it'll muddy the waters with younger backs in the pool

someone will get hurt though, that's prob what some of these guys are factoring in

There’s like 5-6 RBs waiting for someone to get hurt now though.

Curious who are the 1-2 non-obvious names?

1) Dalvin Cook
2) Kareem Hunt
3) Ezekiel Elliott
4) Leonard Fournette

Maybe I was a bit hyperbolic going off the top of my head - but there’s a few lesser veterans still out there as well that have had some NFL success like JD McKissic, Mark Ingram, Rex Burkhead and Justin Jackson.

I was just genuinely curious if anyone was still out there. There is often one or two significant signings during the season after injuries hit.

BTW, Jackson resigned with Detroit like a day or two before TC started. He actually did OK in limited work with them last year. Not worth drafting but he'd have a role if one of the top 2 got hurt.

 

[Faust]

Jeremy Fowler
Source: Kareem Hunt is making a free agent visiting to the #Saints

The former rushing leader could be headed to NFC South.

https://twitter.com/jfowlerespn/status/1688543765982547968?s=21

 

[Gold Fox]

Jeremy Fowler
Source: Kareem Hunt is making a free agent visiting to the #Saints

The former rushing leader could be headed to NFC South.

https://twitter.com/jfowlerespn/status/1688543765982547968?s=21

Even with Eno Benjamin out on IR, this seems like it would be a bad landing spot for Hunt owners.

 

[rockaction]

Even with Eno Benjamin out on IR, this seems like it would be a bad landing spot for Hunt owners.

Awful. You know there's not much demand for his services when this is the case. And this is worse news for Kendre Miller's stock. Ugh. Ugly.

 

[BearsFan4Life]

Even with Eno Benjamin out on IR, this seems like it would be a bad landing spot for Hunt owners.

Awful. You know there's not much demand for his services when this is the case. And this is worse news for Kendre Miller's stock. Ugh. Ugly.

Ugh ... bad spot for Hunt IMO. I own Hunt and just drafted Miller

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Teams put together “emergency lists” so not every visit means a signing is imminent.

 

[rockaction]

Teams put together “emergency lists” so not every visit means a signing is imminent.

Oh yeah. I'm talking if they sign him. I mean, Dalvin Cook has been nearly paying rent at the Jets' facility and there's been no ink yet.

 

[JohnnyU]

Saints is a horrible place for Hunt. I hope it doesn’t happen.

 

[dmac37]

Teams that would offer better potential fantasy value than the Saints
Dolphins
Vikings
Cowboys
Bucs
Rams
Chiefs- not gonna happen
Chargers
Bengals
Colts if no JT

 

[menobrown]

Teams that would offer better potential fantasy value than the Saints
Dolphins
Vikings
Cowboys
Bucs
Rams
Chiefs- not gonna happen
Chargers
Bengals
Colts if no JT

I'm not so sure there are not 31 potential landing spots for Kareem better then the Saints.

 

[Blick]

Teams that would offer better potential fantasy value than the Saints
Dolphins
Vikings
Cowboys
Bucs
Rams
Chiefs- not gonna happen
Chargers
Bengals
Colts if no JT

I wonder why we're not hearing anything about RB visits to Cinci. They can't possibly be content, as Super Bowl contenders, to enter the season with Mixon and a bunch of nothing behind him.

 

[Mitchie]

Purely speculation but I'd guess some of these visits are favors to an agent and/or player to generate some buzz.

 

[menobrown]

Purely speculation but I'd guess some of these visits are favors to an agent and/or player to generate some buzz.

I wondered earlier if a past coach of Hunt's was on the staff and was doing him a solid but did not see it. Maybe something to do with this, or maybe I'm just wishful thinking.

Just for kicks I decided to look up Hunt's agent and that firm might have the saddest roster of clients I've ever seen. Hunt is for the headline name, most of their client list is out of the league and don't think they've represented a pro bowl player since 2018.I don't even see how this place is in business, got a long employee list and very little clients/cash.

Anyway maybe they have nothing to do with his issues landing a decent gig but hard to see how they are much help either...but they sure could use a favor or two.

T

 

[Deamon]

Saints is a horrible place for Hunt. I hope it doesn’t happen.

I don't get it. Online articles are saying the Saints are RB-Needy but I really don't understand that. I think those other guys can carry the load for 3 games.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

With Mattison getting a little banged up, seeing that Vikings are potentially eyeballing Hunt.... He's gotta land somewhere, don't we think?

Honestly, maybe/maybe not.

I've always kind of wondered if Hunt was valued by the NFL after his off field incident. There were always trade rumors, but nothing that even got serious, and now he's been in FA forever. I honestly think he's valued lower than a guy like Fournette.

The Vikings "eyeballing" Hunt is probably just an update the rolodex situation, just like I suspect Dalvin Cook/Darrell Henderson were in NE. Just a, "hey we've talked to this guy and gauged his interest if none of our young guys look any good.

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think the guy who drafted him in KC and then went to Cleveland for a while, brought him to Cleveland as a back up RB after the off field incident involving him striking a woman which is on video tape I believe.

Maybe the NFL feels the risk is not worth it, if he could still ball out I think he would be in a uniform somewhere

 

[rockaction]

Cook, Elliott, Fournette, Hunt. In that order. Woof. Hunt might just have gasped his last NFL breath here. He looked spent last season in the clips I would watch of him.

 

[travdogg]

Cook, Elliott, Fournette, Hunt. In that order. Woof. Hunt might just have gasped his last NFL breath here. He looked spent last season in the clips I would watch of him.

I have it:
Fournette, Hunt, Cook, Zeke

I think Hunt and especially Fournette (big difference backing up Chubb vs breifly backing up Ronald Jones) have shown themselves much more willing to accept 2nd banana status (which all of them are at this stage) and are still big pluses in the passing game.

Cook has become pretty big play or nothing of late, and Zeke is just a short yardage/pass blocker which has less value than a pass catcher/blocker in my opinion.