Carolina Panthers see value in stable of running backs

TROY HULL | THE CHARLOTTE POST

Chuba Hubbard, who displaced Miles Sanders as the Carolina Panthers’ top running back last season, returns to a crowded corps at the position. In addition to Hubbard and Sanders, Carolina returns Raheem Blackshear and picked Jonathon Brooks in the second round of last month’s draft.

Standing off to the side, Carolina Panthers rookie Jonathon Brooks could only watch his new teammates run through drills last week at Bank of America Stadium.

Recuperating from an ACL tear he suffered in November, Brooks is expected to add a playmaking presence to the crowded running back room when he eventually returns. In the meantime, Brooks treated rookie minicamp and the start of OTAs as extended study sessions.

“For me, just to learn from them,” Brooks said. “To take all the little stuff that people need to know about the game. And for me, there’s always stuff to prove.  

“But for me, I just need to get healthy, learn the playbook and do what I need to do—just get healthy and get right for the season.”

When Brooks returns to the field, he likely will compete for carries against returning starter Chuba Hubbard, veterans Miles Sanders and Rashaad Penny and undrafted free agent Jaden Shirden.

While most NFL teams are shedding running backs, the Panthers appear to have assembled an intriguing stable of talent.

Hubbard, 25, emerged as RB1 last season, compiling 1,135 scrimmage yards, but is entering the final season of his rookie deal and could enter free agency next year.

Sanders is coming off a dismal season. Signed last offseason to a four-year, $25.4 million contract, the Panthers envisioned him as a workhorse behind quarterback Bryce Young. Sanders never got going, rushing for over 70 yards in just two games. In 11 outings, he rushed for 32 yards or fewer.

A 2018 first-round draft pick, Penny is the latest cast member to arrive on the scene. Attempting to resurrect his career, Penny could offer elements of toughness in short yardage situations but has appeared in just 15 games over the past two seasons.

The first running back taken in April’s draft, Brooks was snared in the second round after Carolina traded away pick No. 46. As a Texas sophomore, he compiled 1,425 scrimmage yards and 11 touchdowns.

An East-West Shrine Bowl participant, Shirden had an electric career at Monmouth, compiling 3,697 yards and 26 touchdowns. In 33 career games, he registered 17 100-yard outings and 14 scoring runs of at least 50 yards.  

Raheem Blackshear, who averaged 3.3 yards per rush on 37 career carries, and Mike Boone, a career backup with 539 yards on 104 attempts in 66 games, round out the overflow seating chart for running backs.

The Panthers remain committed to reviving the their rushing attack behind a revamped offensive line featuring free-agent additions Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis at guard. A strong run game will help mold the Panthers into an old-school defensive squad.

Explaining why the Panthers are stockpiling a position when most teams are downsizing, Canales defended the move to draft Brooks, adding Carolina will find ways to exploit his open-field abilities. Canales believes there’s power in numbers.

“In my experience, we need all the backs,” Canales said. “We need all of them to contribute at some point in the season – knock on wood. But they get nicked, or it’s in a game and then he busts a shoestring and they’re switching his shoes out to get him back ready; those other backs have to be ready to play.  

“As we come along and as we challenge them to compete, we’re gonna see some great effort out of the backs in this camp and I’m really excited about it.”  

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