Panthers add important depth with C.J. Anderson
The Carolina Panthers surprised many NFL executives by failing to add a running back in the draft. Now the team has filled the need through free agency.
More than a few NFL observers were surprised when the Carolina Panthers exited the 2018 NFL Draft without adding a running back. Now the team has emphatically answered any questions about their running back depth via free agency.
The Panthers have added former Broncos running back C.J. Anderson to serve as Christian McCaffrey’s primary backup. The 27-year-old served as Denver’s starting tailback last year and registered 1,007 rushing yards in his 16 starts. It’s unlikely he’ll get the same carries in Carolina, but he still should see the ball a lot in Norv Turner’s new offense.
The #Panthers are signing former #Broncos RB CJ Anderson, source confirms (as @ProFootballTalk reported). Some depth and experience behind Christian McCaffrey.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 7, 2018
The only Panther disappointed in the team’s decision to add Anderson to the mix is Cameron Artis-Payne. The former Auburn star seemed in line to finally get his chance to feature in the offense after the departure of Jonathan Stewart. Unfortunately for Artis-Payne, the addition of Anderson will likely relegate him to the third-string running back spot once again.
This could prove to be one of the summer’s most underrated free agency moves. Stewart wasn’t great for the Panthers last season, but he did carry the ball 198 times for the Carolina offense. Expecting McCaffrey to pick up a majority of those carries would have been a poor choice for such a slight running back.
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Anderson is anything but small. He may only measure in at 5-foot-8, but he carries a robust 224 pounds on that frame. Trying to tackle him in the hole is similar to trying to bring a fire hydrant down on the street. Expect him to get a ton of touches in an effort to lessen the offensive load shouldered by McCaffrey and Cam Newton.
Expect to hear a lot about the new wide receivers available for Newton this preseason, but don’t overlook the new running back the Panthers have added to support him. C.J. Anderson isn’t a big name signing but he could have a big impact in Carolina.