After Dillon Johnson was released by the Tennessee Titans shortly after training camp began, it didn’t take long for the All-Pac-12 second-team running back to find a new team. The Carolina Panthers moved quickly to sign the undrafted free agent, and he should have a good shot to make the practice squad at the very least.
Chuba Hubbard, Miles Sanders, and second-round rookie Jonathan Brooks are all in front of Johnson on the depth chart, who rushed for 1,195 yards and 16 touchdowns during his one season at Washington.
Hubbard rushed for 902 yards and 5 touchdowns last season, while Sanders, who Carolina signed to a $25.4 million contract before the 2023 season produced just 432 yards and 1 score on the ground.
He has a potential out in his contract after the season, which the Panthers could exercise if Brooks can live up to expectations whenever he returns to the field. The rookie suffered a torn ACL during his final season with the Texas Longhorns and is on the non-football injury list as he continues to recover.
Between Brooks’ injury and Sanders’ struggles during his first year in Carolina, Johnson has an opportunity to carve out a role for himself in coach Dave Canales’ offense.
[lawrence-related id=5219,5200]
If there is any UDFA I think has a great shot to make the #Titans roster, it’s RB Dillon Johnson.
What he lacks in speed and athleticism, he makes up for in toughness and vision. I think he’s got a real shot to be the 3rd RB on this roster behind Spears and Pollard. pic.twitter.com/P5x8LGAHQq
— JT Ruhnke (@jt_ruhnke) May 2, 2024