Kareem Hunt: Struggles with starter returning

How do Kareem Hunt’s 2024 advanced stats compare to other running backs?

This section compares his advanced stats with players at the same position. The bar represents the player’s percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that metric and it would be considered average. The longer the bar, the better it is for the player.

Explain These Stats

See where Kareem Hunt lined up on the field and how he performed at each spot.

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Hunt is a free agent after the Browns declined to re-sign him but does not rank especially high on the long list of free-agent running backs after his numbers fell off a cliff in 2022. Although he was only 27 last year, Hunt plodded his way to just 3.8 yards per carry and 4.8 yards per target — numbers that get running backs benched. Hunt was more productive in 2021, when he scored five rushing touchdowns with much better efficiency (4.9 YPC, 6.4 YPT) in an injury-shortened eight-game season. It might require some injuries around the league for Hunt to get another shot because he doesn’t seem to be at the front of the line of discarded backs.

For a second time in the last three years, Hunt only managed to play in eight games, though this time it was injuries and not a suspension that kept him off the field. A calf strain cost him five games in the middle of the season, and after seeing only 34 snaps and 11 touches over two games after his return, an ankle issue cost him the last four contests on the schedule. Hunt looked like his usual self to begin the campaign, however, averaging 87 scrimmage yards through the first six weeks while scoring five touchdowns. It’s easy to forget at this point that Hunt won the NFL rushing crown as a rookie in Kansas City, considering his role in Cleveland has been that of 1B behind Nick Chubb, sometimes making an impact through the air as much as on the ground. Hunt is effective no matter how he gets the ball in his hands, thanks to his excellent balance and elusiveness, and his 2.8 yards after contact per carry in 2021 was his best mark in the last four seasons, comparing favorably to the NFL’s elite like Chubb and Jonathan Taylor. The Browns offense could look very different once Deshaun Watson is under center — and should be more efficient — but that won’t happen until Week 13 when the QB is done serving his 11-game suspension.

The Browns’ backfield is the most talented in the NFL, and it’s easy to forget that Hunt is not just a second fiddle behind Nick Chubb. Hunt got double-digit carries in 12 consecutive games to begin last season, and he might’ve pushed for 1,000 rushing yards if his volume hadn’t dwindled down the stretch as Baker Mayfield began to air it out. Hunt’s best asset is his elusiveness, and he’s extremely difficult for a tackler to square up or get a clean hit against, but he can also grind out tough yards when necessary. He’s also a plus receiver, and has handled most of the third-down work since first suiting up for the Browns in November 2019. Last season, Coach Kevin Stefanski gave both his backs plenty of work in the early going, but Hunt dipped to 8.2 carries per game in December while Mayfield and Chubb carried the offense. Hunt did rebound for three TDs in two playoff games, and between the regular season and playoffs, he averaged a healthy 10.5 carries and 3.0 targets in the 13 games where both he and Chubb were available throughout. Chubb is still the top dog in the pound when it comes to the rushing attack, but Hunt should see enough volume to make an impact, especially if the red-zone split is as equal as it was last season.

Hunt’s first season with the Browns went almost exactly as expected, at least in terms of his own effort. After beginning the season serving the remainder of his 2018 suspension, the former Chief joined the Cleveland backfield in Week 10 and immediately was thrust into a significant role, seeing 34 to 45 offensive snaps in every game. While his overall touches were firmly capped working behind Nick Chubb, Hunt saw plenty of action on passing downs while also proving useful on the ground, and the traits that won him a rushing title in 2017 were still evident. Hunt’s elite elusiveness and balance helped him average 2.7 yards after contact on 43 carries and 7.5 yards after the catch on his 37 receptions. With Chubb entrenched atop the depth chart and not showing any particular susceptibility to injury in his NFL career, Hunt’s role doesn’t seem likely to increase much, but better overall performance from a Cleveland offense that was a disappointment in 2019 could lead to more production to go around.

Hunt was headed for another extremely productive season with the Chiefs before a video surfaced of his involvement in a violent incident, and the team reacted by releasing him before a Week 12 game against the Raiders. Even with the threat of league punishment hanging over Hunt, the Browns decided to offer him another chance and signed him in the offseason. He’ll begin his tenure with Cleveland once he’s served an eight-game suspension. It’s not yet clear what kind of workload Hunt will get with his new offense, joining a backfield that already features Nick Chubb, but the trade of Duke Johnson does free up some touches. Barring an injury to Chubb, it’s hard to see Hunt enjoying the same volume, or same efficiency, that he did in Kansas City while playing for coach Andy Reid. Hunt still has tremendous three-down talent, though, and if the opportunity presents itself, he could thrive given the stacked roster around him.

Initially expected to start his career in a timeshare, Hunt instead served as the Chiefs’ lead back all last season after Spencer Ware suffered a devastating knee injury in August. The rookie third-round pick was good enough to spark MVP discussion early in the year, and while a midseason slump ended the pipe dream, he rebounded in Weeks 14-16 to salvage a rushing title. Hunt’s elite elusiveness, balance and vision made him one of the most difficult runners in the NFL to bring down – he led the league with 137 evaded tackles – and his pass-catching skills made him a perfect fit for Andy Reid’s offensive scheme. In addition to the rushing title, Hunt finished eighth among running backs in receiving yards and tied for fifth in total touchdowns. With fellow 2017 draftee Patrick Mahomes taking over the reins at quarterback from veteran Alex Smith, the Chiefs may need to lean on Hunt even more heavily than they did last year. Tyreek Hill, Sammy Watkins and Travis Kelce will keep safeties honest, and the Chiefs’ offensive line still appears solid, though unspectacular. While Reid’s desire to keep Hunt’s workload in check is admirable, it may not hold up in the heat of battle. Expect the 23-year-old to once again be among the league leaders in carries and touches.

The Chiefs were one of the biggest wheelers and dealers on draft day, and Hunt was one of the players they apparently couldn’t live without, as they traded away three picks to move up 18 spots in the third round to grab him. At 5-10, 216, he fits the profile Kansas City looks for in a running back, and while he lost time throughout his college career to lower-body injuries, he finally stayed healthy as a senior and put together a highly impressive campaign. Hunt may not have breakaway speed, but his vision and elusiveness are NFL-caliber, and he can be an asset in the passing game as well, potentially making him useful on any down. Already in line for a sizable Week 1 role, Hunt now finds himself entering the season as the clear leader in Kansas City’s backfield after Spencer Ware suffered a season-ending knee injury during the preseason. Charcandrick West figures to be involved, but Hunt should handle the bulk of the rushing workload, including at the goal line.