Panthers depth chart: Pre-camp 53-man roster projection for 2021
By Dean Jones
Carolina Panthers depth chart: Running Backs/Full Back
- Christian McCaffrey, Chuba Hubbard, Rodney Smith, Mikey Daniel (FB).
The return to full health of Christian McCaffrey is something that cannot be ignored when examining the Carolina Panthers and their chances of improvement in 2021. Their face of the franchise appeared in just three games last season due to various injury problems, which was sorely felt by a young team that found life difficult coming through in big moments.
Carolina will obviously look to take some heat off McCaffrey moving forward. But the All-Pro will remain the beating heart of everything good where the Panthers are concerned.
In fairness to the Panthers, they recognized the need to provide McCaffrey with no support, drafting Chuba Hubbard in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
The former Oklahoma State star torched Matt Rhule’s Baylor Bears during his time in college and should serve as the primary backup right from the word go providing Hubbard’s transition to the pros is a smooth one.
Who fills out the Panthers’ depth chart at running back is unclear.
They should take Mikey Daniel as a full back after letting Alex Armah walk in free agency. Rodney Smith also showed enough with the carries that came his way in 2020 to suggest he might be of some use to the team if the worst happens to McCaffrey at any stage.