Having the best player on your team at running back usually doesn’t bode well for your roster makeup. That said, there’s nothing wrong with an elite running back. Carolina Panthers They are certainly in no position to complain about their situation at this point. They currently have a breakout star in the rankings in fourth year Chuba Hubbard. Third in the NFL in rushing yards this season behind longtime superstars Derrick Henry and Saquon Barkley.

While he’s never been a bad running back, Hubbard’s level of success this season has been a bit of a pleasant surprise. In fact, he might even be a candidate for his first Pro Bowl nomination. Kevin Patra on NFL.comHe named Hubbard among his Pro Bowl sleepers in 2024.

“Check just about any running back metric in 2024 and you’ll see Hubbard’s name among the perennial Pro Bowlers. Hubbard ranks third in rushing yards (818), fifth in carries (161), eighth in rushing touchdowns (six). ), fifth in rushing success rate (56.5) and sixth in yards per game (81.8). Let’s go beyond counting the stats: Among RBs with at least 100 carries this season, Hubbard ranks third in rushing yards (214). ), fourth in rushing yards above expected per carry (1.4), first in rushing percentage above expected (49.4%), fifth in rushing EPA (0.8), fifth in first downs (40) and first in rushing percentage above expected (40). Tied for second in falls (Seven).”

Hubbard, of course, needs to place great value on Carolina’s offensive line. While he has legitimate talent, this breakout season wouldn’t have been possible without a major step forward in the group’s run blocking. However, Hubbard emerges out of context.

It would be absurd to deny that Hubbard won. latest contract extension – and a reasonable price considering how well it performs. However, the Panthers will be in a bit of a pickle if they start giving Jonathon Brooks time and he turns out to be someone special. If that’s the case, Carolina could choose to trade one of them and try to fill out the rest of the roster with a return or embrace the old 1-2 dynamic that would easily eclipse any previous combo in franchise history, and that’s a pretty high bar. To be continued…

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