The Carolina Panthers have one of the NFL’s most exceptional athletes in starting running back Christian McCaffrey. However, as they learned the hard way last season, it’s always good to have a capable No. 2 option in your stable. With McCaffrey on the sidelines for 13 games, Carolina had to lean hard on backup Mike Davis.
Davis answered the call to the tune of an exceptional 1,000-yard season, but he has since signed with the Falcons, leaving a hole in the middle of the Panthers’ depth chart at this spot. We didn’t have to wait long to learn who would replace Davis, though.
In the fourth round of the draft, Carolina selected Oklahoma State running back Chuba Hubbard. While he posted some eye-catching numbers in college, Hubbard is as yet unproven at this level and he’s been ranked No. 26 among the league’s backup running backs by ESPN.
“Hubbard is a fourth-round rookie, so expectations need to be kept in check here. . . Hubbard would compete with the likes of Rodney Smith and Reggie Bonnafon for work in this scenario and would have a shot at a sizable role.”
In theory, Hubbard shouldn’t be able to waltz right in and take that second spot under McCaffrey right off the bat. However, we’re betting that his plus athleticism, size and vision will give him an advantage over the other backs on the roster.
While he probably won’t get a ton of action as a rookie unless McCaffrey gets bitten by the injury bug again, there’s always a chance that he’ll make a surprise splash. Remember, the Panthers were one of the teams that were in talks with Chris Carson before he re-signed with the Seahawks. That might indicate they’re looking for a different arrangement in the backfield, possibly giving more totes to the No. 2 guy while using McCaffrey more as a receiver.
Either way, we’d be surprised if Hubbard isn’t ranked quite a bit higher on this list next year.
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