Kenneth Gainwell could be the perfect backup for Christian McCaffrey

Kenneth Gainwell’s fit on the Carolina Panthers

At least from the outside looking in, it appears as if Kenneth Gainwell and the Carolina Panthers are a match made in heaven. They would be able to run the exact same offense should Christian McCaffrey get hurt at any stage, and having the Memphis sensation on the roster could take some of the considerable pressure placed on the All-Pro in the process.

This is something the Panthers absolutely have to do to preserve McCaffrey for the duration of his new deal. So bringing Gainwell onboard has benefits that far exceed just being a primary backup to come in when the No. 1 is forced to miss any more time.

Two running back sets are all the rage on today’s NFL. Carolina has put a significant amount on McCaffrey’s shoulders from the moment he entered the league and if 2020 was a sign things are starting to take their toll, then drafting Gainwell would ensure another prolific backfield presence that can make a big difference on any given down.

The Panthers have other more pressing priorities to address first, so it remains to be seen whether Gainwell is still around once it’s time for Carolina to go with the best player available. Someone with his skill set could easily be an early Day 2 selection, which would leave those in power looking at alternatives.

One thing for sure, whichever team is fortunate enough to land Gainwell is getting a big-time playmaker who is going to be an NFL star in no time at all.