RB Kareem Hunt, KC (4 Viewers)

[travdogg]

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.

I would disagree with that, if Hunt is closer to his pre-2022 self. That Hunt is blowing right by Jamaal/Miller.

Even then I think Atlanta would be worse, so would Detroit, Green Bay, Seattle, and arguably Philly would all be tougher spots for Hunt.

Is NO perhaps a little worried about Kendre Miller's health? Or that he'll be behind because of missing pretty much the entire offseason? I kinda wonder if Eno Benjamin wasn't gonna be the #2 for week 1 at least.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

John Dorsey was the former GM name I was trying to find
That guy drafted him in KC, went to Cleveland for a little while and brought Hunt in to back up Chubb.

 

[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.

I would disagree with that, if Hunt is closer to his pre-2022 self. That Hunt is blowing right by Jamaal/Miller.

Even then I think Atlanta would be worse, so would Detroit, Green Bay, Seattle, and arguably Philly would all be tougher spots for Hunt.

Is NO perhaps a little worried about Kendre Miller's health? Or that he'll be behind because of missing pretty much the entire offseason? I kinda wonder if Eno Benjamin wasn't gonna be the #2 for week 1 at least.

Two RB's from the 2017 draft class are still sitting on big second contracts that the teams did not ask them to take a pay cut or get cut. CMC and Kamara.

Jamal's contract is essentially guaranteed and halfway decent RB money, $4-5M a year over the next two seasons. I think Hunt's better but then him but again money and commitment goes a long way.

Miller's a third round pick and the drumbeat has been nothing but positive.

In short they've committed a fairly strong amount of money to two RB's and strong draft capital in another. This is a 3 man RBBC in week 4.

So I'll repeat what I said and we'll agree to disagree, and that's cook, but I truly think this is the worst possible landing spot out of 32 he could possibly land.

 

[BobbyLayne]

John Dorsey was the former GM name I was trying to find
That guy drafted him in KC, went to Cleveland for a little while and brought Hunt in to back up Chubb.

Dorsey is in Detroit these days. Was an early hire in the Holmes regime. Don't think he has much influence but they like having old guy consultants around (i.e., John Fox is mentoring assistants.)

 

[menobrown]

I don't know severity but know that Jerome Ford had to leave practice today for a hamstring injury.

I've been waiting years for Hunt to not live in Chubb's shadow and crazy thing is now I'd do cartwheels if they'd bring him back.

 

[Mitchie]

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.

I would disagree with that, if Hunt is closer to his pre-2022 self. That Hunt is blowing right by Jamaal/Miller.

Even then I think Atlanta would be worse, so would Detroit, Green Bay, Seattle, and arguably Philly would all be tougher spots for Hunt.

Is NO perhaps a little worried about Kendre Miller's health? Or that he'll be behind because of missing pretty much the entire offseason? I kinda wonder if Eno Benjamin wasn't gonna be the #2 for week 1 at least.

He isn't. He was phased out down the stretch presumably for that reason.

 

[Doug B]

FWIW, Hunt is still in town and meeting with Saints brass over dinner tonight.

 

[Da Franchise]

This is the kind of guy that a decade or two ago would be getting signed by a dumb team to a multi year deal at like 70% of top of the market value. Now he’s being considered as a suspension fill in and apparently that’s as much interest as anyone has had so far.

 

[rockaction]

This is the kind of guy that a decade or two ago would be getting signed by a dumb team to a multi year deal at like 70% of top of the market value.

You mean like when Mike Maccagnan had that awful Jets team and tried to put perfume on body odor by signing Le'Veon Bell to that deal they signed him to? That ancient history?

Oh, wait, that was five years ago. Good work, Jets!

 

[Da Franchise]

This is the kind of guy that a decade or two ago would be getting signed by a dumb team to a multi year deal at like 70% of top of the market value.

You mean like when Mike Maccagnan had that awful Jets team and tried to put perfume on body odor by signing Le'Veon Bell to that deal they signed him to? That ancient history?

Oh, wait, that was five years ago. Good work, Jets!

You’re right. Can certainly go back shorter for examples.

 

[Doug B]

Saints to sign RB Kareem Hunt and LB Anthony Barr, if they pass physicals

This could be the best Saints backfield since 2011. We’re good now with a Williams-Hunt-Miller trio to open the first 3 games. Both JW and Hunt can carry the load and catch out of the backfield. This helps AK get back to a 8+ yards per touch average and a huge reception season when he returns.

saintsreport.com

Dianna Russini​

@diannaESPN​

​

The New Orleans Saints are expected to sign both Kareem Hunt and Anthony Barr, if both players pass their physicals and are in shape, per sources.​

11:12 AM · Aug 8, 2023​

 

[JohnnyU]

If he passes his physical and the signing goes through, this isn't a good thing for all of the Saints RBs.

 

[menobrown]

If he passes his physical and the signing goes through, this isn't a good thing for all of the Saints RBs.

No way it can be shaped as good but I would still put a decent amount of trust in Kamara, this just limits his upside. Not really interested in anyone else for this season. But even the dynasty outlook for Kendre takes a little hit IMO just because the MO of the front office/coaching staff seems to commit heavy resources to the RB spot. I'm thinking they will have the highest RB payroll in the league plus spent a third on one.

We'll see how Hunt looks but right now no one can convince me if not for his past off field transgressions he'd have to take this offer.

 

[Doug B]

If he passes his physical and the signing goes through, this isn't a good thing for all of the Saints RBs.

I dunno ... I'm kind of seeing Hunt as having more of that Tim Hightower role when the Saints had the latter in 2015-16: Basically being a GOOD experienced back that spells the others, but not really ever taking over the game themselves. And great injury insurance.

 

[Da Franchise]

Just further reinforces by dynasty stance on RBs which is that they’re pretty much all a yearly proposition. The only ones that aren’t at the moment IMO are Bijan, Gibbs, and Breece.

Sure seems like Hunt has zero other options if he’s taking this.

 

[Blick]

Just further reinforces by dynasty stance on RBs which is that they’re pretty much all a yearly proposition. The only ones that aren’t at the moment IMO are Bijan, Gibbs, and Breece.

Sure seems like Hunt has zero other options if he’s taking this.

Agreed. Furthermore, I'll be selling Bijan, Gibbs, and Breece as soon as the season is over, or I'm out of contention.

 

[steelcityman]

they can release him once Kamara is back.

 

[sushinsky4tsar]

I think this is a case where some people are catching up with the 2023 reality vs. the name. I think the 2023 reality might be that a 28-year old Hunt is a fairly comparable replacement to what the Saints thought they had in a 24-year old Eno Benjamin before the injury.

At least that seems to be the most logical conclusion that can be drawn from this. It's certainly possible that Hunt's history hurt his chances of landing other backup roles that might have offered more promise.

I don't think this does much of anything to Miller's dynasty value. Some of that is based on the fact that Miller is probably more of a '24 stash than other rookie RBs. But probably a modest hit to Jamaal Williams and Miller for their '23 outlook, since it seemed reasonable that they would have been able to tag-team the RB position during Kamara's suspension. I would have liked their chances of keeping Eno on the bench a little more than Hunt, but again, that might just be me overvaluing what Hunt actually has left.

 

[Da Franchise]

I think this is a case where some people are catching up with the 2023 reality vs. the name. I think the 2023 reality might be that a 28-year old Hunt is fairly comparable to what the Saints thought they had in a 24-year old Eno Benjamin before the injury.

At least that seems to be the most logical conclusion that can be drawn from this. It's certainly possible that Hunt's history hurt his chances of landing other backup roles that might have offered more promise.

To my eyeballs, he did not look like the same player in 22 that he was in 21 and prior. He seemed a little slow and borderline plodding. I did not study him closely, though. Just how he looked to me.

 

[menobrown]

If he passes his physical and the signing goes through, this isn't a good thing for all of the Saints RBs.

I dunno ... I'm kind of seeing Hunt as having more of that Tim Hightower role when the Saints had the latter in 2015-16: Basically being a GOOD experienced back that spells the others, but not really ever taking over the game themselves. And great injury insurance.

I can't see them activating all 4 of them when they are available and with the financial obligation to Jamaal he'd have to be head and shoulders the worst of the trio for it to be him. So barring an injury I feel like once we get to week 4 it's between Hunt and Kendre for game day active status. Which if it's Hunt would pretty much put him in the stage of his career we saw Melvin Gordon slide into last season, as a largely non-active member of the Chiefs.

 

[menobrown]

I think this is a case where some people are catching up with the 2023 reality vs. the name. I think the 2023 reality might be that a 28-year old Hunt is fairly comparable to what the Saints thought they had in a 24-year old Eno Benjamin before the injury.

At least that seems to be the most logical conclusion that can be drawn from this. It's certainly possible that Hunt's history hurt his chances of landing other backup roles that might have offered more promise.

To my eyeballs, he did not look like the same player in 22 that he was in 21 and prior. He seemed a little slow and borderline plodding. I did not study him closely, though. Just how he looked to me.

Maybe it's because Stefanski told him last pre-season he needed to run more patiently? I just don't think he's had the usage that would merit such a decline and I really think it was other stuff bothering him last year.

But either way does not matter for fantasy and you are right on you earlier post, if he's taking this contract it's likely because it's the best(only?) one he's been offered which as I said in my earlier post, is putting him in Melvin Gordon type of territory.

 

[JohnnyU]

If he passes his physical and the signing goes through, this isn't a good thing for all of the Saints RBs.

No way it can be shaped as good but I would still put a decent amount of trust in Kamara, this just limits his upside. Not really interested in anyone else for this season. But even the dynasty outlook for Kendre takes a little hit IMO just because the MO of the front office/coaching staff seems to commit heavy resources to the RB spot. I'm thinking they will have the highest RB payroll in the league plus spent a third on one.

We'll see how Hunt looks but right now no one can convince me if not for his past off field transgressions he'd have to take this offer.

Wasn't his past off field transgressions ions ago?

 

[massraider]

I would rather have the flavor of the month UDFA on my team.

 

[Da Franchise]

I think this is a case where some people are catching up with the 2023 reality vs. the name. I think the 2023 reality might be that a 28-year old Hunt is fairly comparable to what the Saints thought they had in a 24-year old Eno Benjamin before the injury.

At least that seems to be the most logical conclusion that can be drawn from this. It's certainly possible that Hunt's history hurt his chances of landing other backup roles that might have offered more promise.

To my eyeballs, he did not look like the same player in 22 that he was in 21 and prior. He seemed a little slow and borderline plodding. I did not study him closely, though. Just how he looked to me.

Maybe it's because Stefanski told him last pre-season he needed to run more patiently? I just don't think he's had the usage that would merit such a decline and I really think it was other stuff bothering him last year.

But either way does not matter for fantasy and you are right on you earlier post, if he's taking this contract it's likely because it's the best(only?) one he's been offered which as I said in my earlier post, is putting him in Melvin Gordon type of territory.

That’s entirely possible. I think we touched on this before but an alternate theory I’m entertaining is he doesn’t take care of his body aka he likes to drink too much which would hasten a decline in performance. Both seem plausible to me. But like you said, doesn’t really matter for fantasy.

My takeaway is he’s irrelevant for fantasy this year, at least as much as any RB3 is anyway. And if I’m him, I’d be looking to put out some decent tape while AK is suspended because he could be looking for a job come week 4. If I had Hunt anywhere I’d have been expecting something/anything better than this. Real dagger to his prospects moving forward IMO.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

If he passes his physical and the signing goes through, this isn't a good thing for all of the Saints RBs.

What a mess.

 

[RenegadeRoy]

I will have zero shares of Hunt this year. Hunt is the type of player you let the guy who pays the least attention to fantasy/NFL news draft to their team because he still thinks it's 2018.

He couldn't make things work last year with a much better o-line in CLE. He looked slow and indecisive.

This makes it easier to fade NO RBs in redraft.

 

[travdogg]

At least while Kamara is out, I'd expect Williams to start, and Hunt to play 3rd downs. I think this signing hurts Miller the most, because he could potentially be looking at a redshirt year, if Hunt looks better than last year.

I personally don't envision having any Saints players on my team other than Olave this season.

 

[dipandglide]

This signing is more to do with Eno getting hurt. than anything. Most everyone is overthinking this.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

This signing is more to do with Eno getting hurt. than anything. Most everyone is overthinking this.

If Eno was going to have a role, then that doesn't really help.

 

[Tau837]

they can release him once Kamara is back.

I believe it is true that, if he makes the final 53 man roster, his salary is guaranteed for the year. Maybe someone else can confirm.

 

[dipandglide]

This signing is more to do with Eno getting hurt. than anything. Most everyone is overthinking this.

If Eno was going to have a role, then that doesn't really help.

That's the point. Eno wasn't going to have a role. I don't think Hunt will have much of one unless Jwill or Miller get hurt.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

That's the point. Eno wasn't going to have a role. I

Why did they rush out to replace him with a veteran then? It seems they already had enough depth. I'm not saying Hunt takes on some big role but I don't see how he doesn't add to what was already a messy backfield.

 

[menobrown]

At least while Kamara is out, I'd expect Williams to start, and Hunt to play 3rd downs

That make sense and I'm probably just fantasy fan fictioning over and I've certainly not heard a single remote peep on this can't help but start to wonder if Hunt does in fact look to be close to his old self if Jamaal does not see a fate similar to what ADP saw when he signed with the Saints in 2017.

I say this because while granted Jamaal's game is not super flashy I've heard next to zero buzz on him during camp but get almost daily stuff about how good Kendre and Kamara are doing. Maybe with Kamara's suspension being known and easily manageable, having Kendre on the team which was not known when they signed Jamaal, and now getting Hunt for likely peanuts has put them in a position to move on from Jamaal especially if Hunt looks good. This would get them out of his essentially $3.8M guaranteed contract he has next year should someone be interested now or later. They'd have to eat some bonus money but would save on the cap next year and get it off their books.

I know it sounds nutty suggesting they trade a guy they signed who has not played. But again I cite the ADP example and this exactly same regime made that choice on him after 4 or 5 games and that just a lot of stuff has changed from when they signed him. Think of the Jets, who did have interest in him when he was a FA and now that they have Rodgers locked up he might make a lot more sense as a compliment to Breece then Dalvin.

I'm being hopeful of course because I own a lot of these Saints RB's, just won't be surprised if we something like this go down but key is Hunt has to look good.

 

[Doug B]

That's the point. Eno wasn't going to have a role. I

Why did they rush out to replace him with a veteran then? It seems they already had enough depth. I'm not saying Hunt takes on some big role but I don't see how he doesn't add to what was already a messy backfield.

The Saints are petrified of injuries strangling a third straight season.

For right or wrong, the team's brass is convinced that the 2021-22 Saints were double-digit-win teams except for a ridiculous "can't happen twice" spate of injuries. They are loading up on experienced, affordable depth at a bunch of positions, and have been doing so all off-season.

 

[Doug B]

Hunt left N.O. without a deal. Headed to Indianapolis next.

 

[Wildcat]

Colts swoop in to steal Kareem Hunt from Saints

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Hunt left N.O. without a deal. Headed to Indianapolis next.

One tweet above said it was dependent on a physical- glad to see it wasn’t because he failed. That’s good for any owners of this backfield.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Colts swoop in to steal Kareem Hunt from Saints

Interesting- the zoom call continues to bring results.

 

[rockaction]

That’s good for any owners of this backfield.

It is, but where there's smoke. . .

Wouldn't be surprised if N.O. kept sniffing around the vets.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

That’s good for any owners of this backfield.

It is, but where there's smoke. . .

Wouldn't be surprised if N.O. kept sniffing around the vets.

True. Maybe Zeke is coming in next.

 

[rockaction]

True. Maybe Zeke is coming in next.

 

[dmac37]

I own Hunt in both dynasty leagues along with JT in one and Kamara in the other. I do not want Hunt with the Saints, will hurt both Hunt and Kamara. Hunt with the Colts will be huge if JT is out or traded, or a decent cuff with JT. This should also improve the chances they move on from JT or JT realizes they may now be willing to call his bluff and he returns to the team sooner.

I'm not worried about JT long term but could be ugly this year.

 

[rockaction]

This should also improve the chances they move on from JT or JT realizes they may now be willing to call his bluff and he returns to the team sooner.

I gently disagree. Whatever Taylor and Indy have going has almost nothing to do with Hunt at this stage in Hunt's career. They need a body in camp, and Hunt is that. He's not pushing JT out the door and JT isn't running back (see what I did there?) to Colts practice because he's scared Hunt will take his place.

Just not happening.

 

[dmac37]

This should also improve the chances they move on from JT or JT realizes they may now be willing to call his bluff and he returns to the team sooner.

I gently disagree. Whatever Taylor and Indy have going has almost nothing to do with Hunt at this stage in Hunt's career. They need a body in camp, and Hunt is that. He's not pushing JT out the door and JT isn't running back (see what I did there?) to Colts practice because he's scared Hunt will take his place.

Just not happening.

I hear you and not saying Hunt is a direct replacement at this stage but he is a proven complete RB and this is Irsay pulling the strings.

 

[zamboni]

This should also improve the chances they move on from JT or JT realizes they may now be willing to call his bluff and he returns to the team sooner.

I gently disagree. Whatever Taylor and Indy have going has almost nothing to do with Hunt at this stage in Hunt's career. They need a body in camp, and Hunt is that. He's not pushing JT out the door and JT isn't running back (see what I did there?) to Colts practice because he's scared Hunt will take his place.

Just not happening.

I hear you and not saying Hunt is a direct replacement at this stage but he is a proven complete RB and this is Irsay pulling the strings.

If Hunt were anything more than depth at this point, he would have been signed already - well ahead of much less accomplished RBs.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

If Hunt were anything more than depth at this point, he would have been signed already - well ahead of much less accomplished RBs.

Agreed

He looked super washed last year.

 

[steelcityman]

If he lands in Indy, he could be a nice option, maybe a lead back with Hull getting some run. I dont see Taylor being ready week 1, and who even knows how long his ankle will actually be an issue and not just a reason to sit out until the week he must return to get a season in. Hunt and Hull might be a nice combo.

Indy should be trying to trade JT, but owner wont give in.

 

[JohnnyU]

Just goes to show you how quickly a player like Taylor can go from a top asset in fantasy to where he is today. Not For Long. This is just one reason why I can see RBs not being valued as much in fantasy going forward. Maybe there is something to the 0 RB strategy. I've been doing a lot of research on it lately.

 

[Ilov80s]

This should also improve the chances they move on from JT or JT realizes they may now be willing to call his bluff and he returns to the team sooner.

I gently disagree. Whatever Taylor and Indy have going has almost nothing to do with Hunt at this stage in Hunt's career. They need a body in camp, and Hunt is that. He's not pushing JT out the door and JT isn't running back (see what I did there?) to Colts practice because he's scared Hunt will take his place.

Just not happening.

I agree. I will politely say that Kareem Hunt stinks.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Just goes to show you how quickly a player like Taylor can go from a top asset in fantasy to where he is today.

It's a bit premature to make a statement like this imo - Taylor could still be traded into a lead back role or he could decide to play the year out and build his value. We're still five weeks away from the start of the season.