5 power RB options the Carolina Panthers should target in 2022
By Dean Jones
Acquiring a power running back is essential for the Carolina Panthers this offseason, but who could emerge as potential options?
After another injury-hit season for Christian McCaffrey, the Carolina Panthers must come up with a better solution in pursuit of keeping their best offensive weapon on the field. The All-Pro is still an extremely productive player when healthy, but turning out just 10 times over the last two years is a damning indictment of how reliant the team has been on the former first-round pick and something simply has to change.
Using McCaffrey in different areas would be beneficial. His pass-catching prowess could mean more reps in the slot and it would also be wise for the Panthers to keep him out of the power running aspect of their offensive gameplan.
Chuba Hubbard doesn’t have the physique to generate momentum in-between the tackles. This makes it vital for the Panthers to acquire someone capable of gaining the hard yards when needed and keep McCaffrey fresh.
With this in mind, here are five power running back options Carolina might target during free agency and the 2022 NFL Draft.
Running Back No. 1
Carolina Panthers could target Pierre Strong Jr.
Although Pierre Strong Jr. might not be coming from the most prestigious college program, his style of running coupled with 1,489 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2021 are elements that could potentially interest the Carolina Panthers.
The South Dakota State product is a relentless force thanks to an intriguing blend of strength and explosiveness. Strong thrived in the face of inferior competition in college, but whether he could do the same in the NFL considering the significant step-up in class is another matter.
That being said, Strong has all the traits of a productive power running back. One that could be available later in the draft that the Panthers could pursue providing he checks out during the evaluation process.