Carolina Panthers: 5 players who must improve in 2018

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CHARLOTTE, NC – MAY 29: Christian McCaffrey (22) runs with the ball after making a catch during the OTA (Organized Training Activities) at the Carolina Panthers training facility in Charlotte, N.C. on May 29, 2018. (Photo by John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

2. Christian McCaffrey

Jonathan Stewart isn’t there to take carries away from Christian McCaffrey any longer. That means the second year pro needs to step up and be much more productive in 2018. Specifically, he has to do a much better job of running the ball out of conventional sets.

McCaffrey only averaged 3.7 yards on 117 carries last season. That’s a very mediocre number for a first round running back. The Panthers will need him to push that number over four this season if they’re going to rely on him as a feature back.

In fairness, McCaffrey was a real weapon in the passing game as a rookie. His 80 catches led the team. His versatility out of the backfield did a lot to make up for the loss of Olsen due to injury.

Even so, he can still improve his route running skills in 2018. He relied far too much on his quickness to make plays after the catch last season. That should be part of his game, but it can’t be all of it. If he can learn to run sharper routes he will be able to increase his receiving average of 8.1 yards per catch last season.

McCaffrey doesn’t need to change the way he plays, he just needs to make moderate improvements across the board. If he does, he can take this Panthers offense from good to great.

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