Will Raheem Blackshear Have An Expanded Role In The Panthers' Offense? Fantasy Football Outlook

Carolina Panthers running back Raheem Blackshear looks to be in line for an expanded role this upcoming year. According to Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer, coach Frank Reich called Blackshear an "under-the-radar" standout in spring practices.

The former Hokie and undrafted free agent played 13 games with one start in his 2022 rookie season, rushing for 77 yards and three touchdowns. Catching ten passes for 93 yards, expanding his role as a pass-catcher could be his best opportunity for playing time this season.

Of the first eight teams the Panthers will face in the 2023 regular season, seven have allowed at least three receiving touchdowns to running backs in 2022, with the Seahawks allowing four and the Dolphins allowing six.

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Will Raheem Blackshear Have An Expanded Role In The Panthers' Offense?

Miles Sanders will be the Panthers' three-down back, but his involvement in their passing game remains to be seen. Per Chase Chamberlain of Last Word Sports, in 2022, the Panthers strictly ran plays under center with a single back. Carolina's 2023 offense should see more use of the running back in the passing game, which plays to Blackshear's strength.

With D'onta Freeman joining the Bears in the Windy City, Chuba Hubbard is Blackshear's closest competition behind Sanders. Since Sanders and Hubbard have had issues with drops, Blackshear's opportunities for more playing time are rising.

Will Blackshear Beat Out Chuba Hubbard For Carolina's RB2 Role?

Starting the 2022 regular season, I expect Hubbard to be the number two back. That said, given Sanders' most likely role as a three-down back and Blackshear's pass-catching ability, Hubbard could find himself languishing behind Blackshear this season.

In 15 games played last year, Hubbard had two rushing touchdowns, and Blackshear had three in 13 games. Hubbard's overall PFF OFF grade is slightly higher than Blackshear's, but Blackshear's numbers listed below are ALL higher than Hubbard's.

PFF Grades 2022 - Raheem Blackshear

PFF Grades 2022 - Chuba Hubbard

Sanders hasn't had an injury-free season since his rookie year in Philadelphia (last season's injuries were during the practice weeks).

Miles Sanders - Injury Risk Report for 2022 (per Draftsharks)

Any time away from the Panthers will bring opportunities for Blackshear to display his pass-catching skills and act as a security blanket for their young rookie quarterback, Bryce Young.

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