Carolina Panthers 53-man roster prediction after 2022 minicamp
By Dean Jones
Carolina Panthers running backs
- Christian McCaffrey, D’Onta Foreman, Chuba Hubbard.
The Carolina Panthers’ hopes next season remain dependent on Christian McCaffrey remaining healthy for an entire campaign. Something that will make or break the team despite those in power looking to reduce their reliance on the All-Pro moving forward.
McCaffrey is the league’s best dual-threat running back when healthy. But that is not guaranteed anymore after the former first-round pick turned out just seven times last season – taking his tally to 10 contests in two years.
The Panthers must do everything they can to keep their best weapon on the field. An improved offensive line should help, with the signing of D’Onta Foreman in free agency something else that could ease the burden in between the tackles.
Foreman filled in tremendously for Derrick Henry on the Tennessee Titans last season and should become the team’s primary backup ahead of Chuba Hubbard, who showed some promise as a rookie even if there are some areas of his game such as pass blocking and contact balance that need substantial refinement.
If McCaffrey stays fit and Ben McAdoo comes up with the right game plan to maximize his production with fewer touches, the Panthers might be onto something. But any further complications on the health front will come with grave consequences.