Week 1 NFL Advanced Analytics Superstars

Running Back: Kareem Hunt, Kansas City Chiefs

Kareem Hunt, RB, Kansas City Chiefs
17 Rushes, 148 Yards, 1 Touchdown
5 Receptions, 98 Yards, 5 Targets, 2 Touchdown
Performance: 100, NEP: +13.01

Welcome to the NFL, Kareem Hunt!

The rookie running back, in his first career game, was a dominant force, setting an NFL record for the most yards from scrimmage in a player's first career game (246) in addition to scoring three touchdowns. He refused to be tackled by what looks to be a weak New England Patriots defense, excelling as both a runner and a receiver in the absence of 2016 starter Spencer Ware, who was lost for the season with a knee injury during the preseason.

It was an impressive preseason debut for the third-round-pick, and he finished with a perfect Performance Rating of 100. His Receiving NEP of 8.74 was better than any player on the Patriots, while his 2.88 Rushing NEP demonstrated his ability to consistently make positive plays on the ground. His 78-yard touchdown catch -- while matched up against a linebacker -- was a thing of beauty, and he demonstrated his versatility as a weapon on the ground and through the air. He finished with 5 receptions for 98 yards and 2 touchdowns receiving and 17 carries for 148 yards and a touchdown on the ground.

After fumbling on his first NFL carry, plenty of head coaches around the league (including the guy on the opposing sideline) would have likely benched the rookie for his sin. Andy Reid doubled down, giving him the ball on the Chiefs' next play and continuing to feed him throughout the remainder of their shocking win over the Pats. Hunt rewarded them with one of the more dominant rookie performances in NFL history, and what will likely be one of the top fantasy scoring performances of the 2017 season (42 standard-league points), regardless of position.

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