Fansided

Each NFL team’s biggest reason to be excited in 2018

By Brad Berreman

BEREA, OH - JULY 30: Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns throws a pass during a training camp practice on July 30, 2018 at the Cleveland Browns training facility in Berea, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images/Getty Images)
BEREA, OH - JULY 30: Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns throws a pass during a training camp practice on July 30, 2018 at the Cleveland Browns training facility in Berea, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images/Getty Images) /
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Mandatory Credit; David T. Foster III/Charlotte Observer/ Getty Images
Mandatory Credit; David T. Foster III/Charlotte Observer/ Getty Images /

Carolina Panthers – More For McCaffrey?

Christian McCaffrey took his multi-faceted utility from his days at Stanford right into the NFL last year, with a team-high 80 receptions (on a team-high 113 targets), 117 carries and 22 punt returns.

But McCaffrey struggled to get on track as a runner, as he averaged just 3.7 yards per carry. He did finish strongly though, averaging 4.7 yards per carry over the final eight games with a slight increase in volume (8.5 carries per game; 6.1 carries per game over the first eight games).

Panthers head coach Ron Rivera went from envisioning 200 carries all the way to 25-30 touches a game for McCaffrey this year in a matter of a day or two just last week. That would put him in line to lead the league in touches, likely by a substantial margin. But after Jonathan Stewart got 81 more carries than McCaffrey last year, a reversal of roles this year with C.J. Anderson essentially replacing Stewart seems likely.

McCaffrey, even with some added weight coming out of the offseason, is an undersized running back. But he’s an easy bet for more a lot more carries in his second season, while keeping a prominent role in the passing game. For the Panthers, and new coordinator Norv Turner, more McCaffrey is an exciting proposition that should bring the offense up a notch this year.

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