Carolina Panthers: Predicting team leaders in statistics for 2019

Rushing Yards

Again, this should come as a no-brainer. After what was an incredible year on the ground last year, third-year running back Christian McCaffrey should lead the team in rushing yards. He did a lot for the offense last year, and his improved ground game was certainly an encouraging sign.

McCaffrey carried the ball 219 times for 1,098 yards and seven touchdowns. I don’t see anybody on the Panthers replicating those numbers at the running back position. Certainly, they have added some more depth via the draft and undrafted free agency. More former Florida running back Jordan Scarlett is a name to watch, as well as former Georgia back Elijah Holyfield, who Carolina picked up as an undrafted free agent. Cameron Artis-Payne will have to figure into the running game as well. Besides that, McCaffrey should take the majority of the load.

It will be interesting to see what he does to follow up his performance last year. My guess is that with the added receivers on the roster, more of the receiving duties will be going to them. Last year, McCaffrey caught a lot of passes out of the backfield. This year, I don’t think that’s going to be the case. I could see McCaffrey reaching the 1000-yard plateau rather easily, and perhaps even going beyond that.