Chuba Hubbard – Carolina Panthers RB
The Carolina Panthers were not going to wait around to see if Chuba Hubbard could develop problem areas of his game. Christian McCaffrey might be coming back, but his injury problems over the last two seasons indicate a strong backup presence is needed in case the worst happens once again in 2022.
Hubbard was solid if not spectacular as a rookie. There were some nice moments en route to 612 rushing yards and five touchdowns, but non-existent pass protection, poor contact balance, and mistakes in the passing game mean the jury is still out about his long-term aspirations.
To raise the stakes for Hubbard, the Panthers signed D’Onta Foreman in free agency, who filled in superbly for Derrick Henry on the Tennessee Titans last season to ensure Mike Vrabel’s men reached the postseason as the AFC’s first overall seed.
Foreman has the physical running style and big-play ability to potentially make a real difference. If Hubbard cannot raise his level accordingly, then it could relegate the fourth-round selection to No. 3 on the depth chart.
This represents the Panthers laying the gauntlet down to Hubbard. How the running back responds to this challenge will go a long way to outlining just what his future holds in Carolina next season and possibly beyond.