The Carolina Panthers brought in a new lead running back during free agency, but questions loom elsewhere on the depth chart. From opportunities on passing downs to short-yardage concepts, one of these runnings backs below Miles Sanders could rise to the top, or Carolina can bring in a veteran running back from the large free agency pool. As OTA’s and training camp begin, running backs coach Duce Staley will evaluate the ongoing competition. With Staley being a former NFL running back, he’s the perfect mind to lead a group of players that’ll be leaned on heavily with a rookie quarterback at the helm.
Carolina Panthers Running Back Room Breakdown
Miles Sanders
The former Philadelphia Eagles running back signed a four-year, $25.4 million deal with the Panthers this offseason. Sanders is expected to lead this offense by carrying the load on the ground behind an offensive line that proved itself last year and will only improve in 2023. The 2022 Pro Bowler ran behind arguably the best offensive line during the Eagles Super Bowl run, culminating in 1,269 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns.
One of the questions for Sanders was his pass-catching ability. The Eagles haven’t utilized him in that area since Jalen Hurts became a starter. As a rookie in 2019, Sanders had 509 receiving yards on 50 receptions. He hasn’t finished a season over 200 receiving yards since. This could be an area of his game that Carolina and Staley can exploit instead of looking elsewhere for a receiving back. If the Panthers go in this direction, Sanders could become the perfect three-down back Carolina could ride all season.
After rushing for a career-high 1,269 yards in 2022, Miles Sanders is heading to Carolina! ⚫️🔵@BoobieMilesXXIV | @Panthers pic.twitter.com/tvzILEmorG
— NFL (@NFL) March 15, 2023
Chuba Hubbard
The third-year running back has had numerous opportunities to prove himself in Carolina but hasn’t capitalized yet. In 2021, an injury-riddled year for Christian McCaffrey gave Hubbard’s first chance to show his talent with ten games started. He finished the year with 612 rushing yards and five touchdowns but averaged 3.6 yards per carry.
Once again, in 2022, McCaffrey was traded, leaving Hubbard with a prime opportunity to become the starter. He would lose the competition to D’Onta Foreman and finished the season with 466 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
With Foreman signing a deal with the Chicago Bears and the Panthers cashing in on Sanders, Hubbard is again the number two running back. He’ll need Sanders to suffer an injury if he were to rise to the starting spot, but Hubbard will likely serve as the change of pace back. Hubbard’s skill set doesn’t fit solely into a power down back or receiving back, so he’s again in this limbo of waiting to become a starter in the NFL.
Raheem Blackshear
The 5′-9″ running back served primarily as Carolina’s receiving back and kick returner in 2022. His role as a returner is cemented in 2023, as Blackshear averaged 27 yards per return in 2022. He also returned six punts, compared to his 19 kickoff returns, as the short speedster is a perfect special teams player.
Blackshear’s role as a receiving back is the question, as that’ll depend solely on how Sanders is used in the passing game. In 2022, the Panthers strictly ran plays under center with a single back. The 2023 offense likely will see more use of the running back in the passing game and pre-snap movements. Blackshear deserves a spot on this roster strictly because of his special teams skills. His receiving skills will be something to monitor in training camp.
Spencer Brown
The two-year running back has been on the Panthers practice squad but ran for 43 yards and a touchdown in 2022. Brown, at 6′-0″ and 220 pounds has the makings of a goal-line back. He’ll get his opportunities as a starter with the third team in training camp and pre-season but will likely be on the practice squad again. Brown will receive competition from rookie running back Cam Peoples. The two-year back will have the advantage of maintaining his role. The battle between Brown and Peoples will be worth monitoring.
Cam Peoples
The rookie running back from Appalachian State at 6’2 225 lbs is a force to be reckoned with. Peoples already with height and weight advantage over Brown, but his fundamentals as a runner and catcher will be questioned. The former Mountaineer has the size and speed to hurt defenses in college, but his vision and patience hurt him at times. At the NFL level, those two aspects will be looked at and tested extensively. As Peoples develops and strengthens those skills in training camp, he’ll have a prime opportunity to be a part of the Panthers roster in the regular season.
Main Photo: Chris Pedota – USA Today Sports
