All-Time Panthers Rushing - Hubbard should leap CMC & Foster this year

[shaqattaq]

1 hour ago, Davidson Deac II said:

Hubbard might see reduced carries this year since we picked up the Cowboys free agent.  

Dowdle was a good pickup, and is trying to earn a big contract so he'll play with a chip on his shoulder for sure. I'm also quite excited about Etienne. He presents a passing option that neither Dowdle or Hubbard have.

[PantherChris]

On 6/2/2025 at 5:23 PM, kungfoodude said:

I am not surprised. I remember looking at all-time franchise rushing in the past couple of seasons and being pretty amazed at how paltry the totals really were.

For CMC, I think people just forget how injury prone he became, hence why his numbers seem low. From 2020 to 2022 he played 16 of a possible 39 games. In fact during that timespan he never again went over 500 rushing yards in a season for us.

The the leaders on that list were far bigger impact players due to their longevity.

Not to mention the "over use" was also in the receiving game..   he has about three same amount of receiving yards too

[t96]

On 6/3/2025 at 1:52 PM, Seltzer said:

Every advanced metric has Chuba in the top 10 range last year. I think you're selling him short here. He's not one of the very best backs in the league, but he's earned a spot in that next tier IMO.

I definitely think Chuba has proven to be an above average starter. Go look at broken tackles and yards carried over expected. Hubbard would get a lot more buzz if the team were more relevant.

Watching Chuba break through 2 tacklers to high step into a game winning TD in OT against the Cardinals was one of the coolest images we've had on offense (besides the Bryce to Tremble pass) in quite a few years.

Chuba is almost certainly the best 4th round pick in franchise history.

I dont think Chuba has that final gear that CMC or Deangelo Williams had in their prime, but outside of that Chuba is solid as can be. 

Chuba still has good speed though. That TD run against the Bears where he blew past their entire secondary showed that.

I think watching CMCs preparation showed Chuba as a rookie how much work it took, and to his credit, Chuba has always been one of the last guys off the practice field.

Given all the almost comical dysfunction of the Panthers since Tepper bought the team, Chuba really is one of the few true organic successes this team has had.

A 4th rounder who has turned into a borderline top 10 RB. I think Chuba deserves all his flowers.

And pairing Chuba with Rico Dowdle will low-key give us one of the best 1-2 punches in the league.

Both these guys had 1300+ combined yards last season. That doesnt happen without a lot of talent.

And while they dont have the same 1st round pedigrees that J-Stew & D-lo had, Chuba & Rico could be the best duo since Double Trouble 

Hopefully they perform well enough we give them a nickname

 

I personally just don't see it on the field. He's had some nice plays, yeah, but overall my eye test says middle of the pick starter in the 15-17ish range. Which again, is completely fine, great for where he was drafted and the position is not a weakness for the team.

 

But he's not a guy who draws significant attention from the D and helps open up the passing game. Not a factor at all as a receiver. He was 15th in scrimmage yards last year (2 WRs ahead) with high usage and an average at best yards/touch. He's running behind a very good OL lately too. Hopefully he continues to improve and proves me wrong and shows those flashes of elite play more consistently but I just don't see it yet.

 

I like the Dowdle signing and think they will complement each other well. They are nowhere near Double Trouble. 1300+ scrimmage yards is honestly a pretty low benchmark these days and plenty of JAGs have hit it in recent years. Not saying these guys are JAGs (jury out on Dowdle) just that 1300 yards can easily be achieved by a JAG with high enough usage and in good offenses with good OLs.

[Bear Hands]

On 6/4/2025 at 8:53 AM, shaqattaq said:

Dowdle was a good pickup, and is trying to earn a big contract so he'll play with a chip on his shoulder for sure. I'm also quite excited about Etienne. He presents a passing option that neither Dowdle or Hubbard have.

The Cowboys also had some OL issues last year and he still managed 1k+.

Pretty nice to be going into a season with (2) 1k backs, both 26/under.   And a guy in Etienne who is as fresh as it gets (just 371 total college carries, 62 receptions)   

[Basbear]

10 hours ago, Bear Hands said:

The Cowboys also had some OL issues last year and he still managed 1k+.

Pretty nice to be going into a season with (2) 1k backs, both 26/under.   And a guy in Etienne who is as fresh as it gets (just 371 total college carries, 62 receptions)   

They also had no Dak, teams had no respect for passing the ball. 

That 1K should have never happened.

I've been meaning to do a thread about RB, OL, WR, DL....... just how the shear will at the transformation form 2023. Plus if the gods allow Panthers playoff shocker, how great the team is set up to draft for safety, TE, and LBs. All due to Dan and Brandt and company *"fixing"* the OL, DL, RB, and WR groups. In record time, without the 1st overall pick, 39th overall pick, and limited cap funds.

You would be better received than I...