Panthers RB spotlight: Impending free agents, possible targets, draft outlook
The Frank Reich era has just begun in Carolina, and the new Panthers head coach already has a big decision to make at running back.
Last season’s leading rusher, running back D’Onta Foreman, is set to hit free agency in March. Foreman will look to cash in on the open market following a career-best performance during his first year in Carolina.
Reich will need to decide if Foreman’s value to the offense makes him worth keeping around with a heavy price tag. If Reich decides to go in another direction, the Panthers will have plenty of options in free agency and the draft this offseason.
Impending free agents
D’Onta Foreman
While he barely played during the first six games of the season, Foreman broke out as a go-to playmaker in the wake of the Christian McCaffrey trade in October. Foreman produced 877 rushing yards and five touchdowns during an 11-game stretch under former interim head coach Steve Wilks.
With Wilks looking to play bully ball, Foreman’s ground-and-pound nature was effective out of the backfield. Foreman surpassed 110 yards in five games during his time as a primary ball-carrier.
Coming off a career year, Foreman will look to cash in with a long-term deal in free agency. Set to turn 27 in April, Foreman has less wear and tear than most running backs his age, so the Panthers might be inclined to spend on him. Foreman’s future in Carolina will likely come down to how Reich views his fit in the offense.
Under contract
Chuba Hubbard
Hubbard, like Foreman, took on a bigger role after McCaffrey was sent to the San Francisco 49ers. After dealing with an ankle injury that cost him some game action, Hubbard became a consistent change-of-pace playmaker out of the backfield down the stretch of the season. Foreman drew rave reviews for his improvement as a pass protector and offered a nice alternative to Foreman in the running back rotation. He finished last season with 466 rushing yards, 171 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
Hubbard’s versatility should help him stick around under Reich. Hubbard’s role is likely to remain as a change-of-pace ball-carrier.
Raheem Blackshear
The Panthers poached Blackshear from the Buffalo Bills’ practice squad in September. The rookie eventually became a member of the running back rotation after McCaffrey’s departure. Blackshear, along with his work as the team’s primary kick return, was used mostly on gadget plays. He became a sneaky weapon in red-zone plays and produced when his name was called.
Blackshear fits the Nyheim Hines role in Reich’s offense. Blackshear is still a little raw, but his upside as a runner, receiver and blocker is there. He finished his rookie season with 170 total yards rushing and receiving and three total touchdowns.
Spencer Brown
Brown is a practice-squad holdover who was signed a reserve/future contract in January. He played in two games this past season while Hubbard was sidelined with injury. He ran the ball nine times for 43 yards and caught two passes for 10 yards. Brown will likely compete for a job during training camp.
Previous positions in series: Quarterback
Draft outlook
Kenny McIntosh — Georgia
If the Panthers pass on re-signing Foreman, they will probably turn to the draft to find his long-term replacement. However, they are most likely to use a mid-round pick on a running back, so some of the early round prospects can probably be ruled out. McIntosh is likely to be selected on Day 2 and he brings a history of winning with him to the NFL. The two-time national champion ran for 1,462 yards and 16 touchdowns during his college career. He also showed versatility as a receiver, catching 70 passes for 806 yards and three touchdowns.
Tank Bigsby — Auburn
Bigsby, like McIntosh, is probably marked for a Day 2 pick. The Auburn running back ran for 2,903 yards and 25 touchdowns during his career with the Tigers. He also caught 62 passes for 448 yards as a receiver. Reich tends to favor versatility and the 6-foot, 208-pound back more than fits the bill.
Zach Charbonnet — UCLA
Charbonnet split his college career between Michigan and UCLA. After being part of the rotation with the Wolverines, Charbonnet broke out after he left for the Bruins. Over the past two seasons, Charbonnet has run for 2,496 yards and 27 touchdowns. The 6-foot-1, 220-pound playmaker has also caught 61 passes for 518 yards.
Potential free agent options
Miles Sanders — Philadelphia Eagles
Sanders produced career-high numbers across the board during his fourth season in Philadelphia. He ran for 1,269 yards and 11 rushing touchdowns on the season, finishing in the top 10 in the league in both categories.
Sanders turns 26 in May and still has a long career ahead of him. While he’s struggled with some injuries and inconsistency during his career, there’s no doubt that Sanders’ versatility makes him a strong fit for Reich’s offense.
Jeff Wilson — Miami Dolphins
If Reich wants to rock with a running back rotation, Wilson would be a versatile piece to add to the puzzle. During the past five seasons, Wilson has picked up 2,125 rushing yards, 481 receiving yards and 23 total touchdowns. Despite those solid numbers, Wilson has never really been a workhorse back, so his wear-and-tear load is low.
Wilson, who just turned 26 in November, would probably be an affordable veteran to snatch in free agency.
Devin Singletary — Buffalo Bills
Singletary has been the Bills’ top back for the past three seasons. While his numbers won’t “wow” anyone, he has been a steady runner through his time in the AFC East. Also, like Wilson and Foreman, he also hasn’t had to deal with the rigors of being an every-down back during his career.
Singletary could provide a veteran complement to Blackshear and Hubbard if the Panthers move on from Foreman.
