4 sneaky threats the Panthers should watch at Saints in Week 7

Latavius Murray – RB

Alvin Kamara is one of the best in the business at what he does. He has emerged as arguably the best dual-threat running back in the league thanks to Christian McCaffrey’s inactivity, but Latavius Murray is another backfield presence that the Carolina Panthers needs to account for in no uncertain terms.

Murray arrived in New Orleans after an eye-catching spell with the Minnesota Vikings, where he backed up and produced some solid numbers behind Dalvin Cook. He has assumed a similar role with Saints and provides them with a power back that can get important yards between the tackles in crucial situations.

The former sixth-round pick has 52 carries for 252 rushing yards through the first five games. Getting ten touches a contest is a further testament to the Saints’ evolving strategy to rely more on the running game and it would be a huge shock if they didn’t continue in this manner against a Panthers defense that continues to have difficulty stopping the run.

Don’t let Murray’s status on the depth chart fool you. The Saints lean on the player plenty when Kamara needs some time off the field and Carolina should ignore him at their peril on Sunday.

Murray has accumulated a 4.2 yards-per-carry average during his career and he will see this as a primary opportunity to boost his numbers when the play-calls come in his direction.