Thanks to increasing age and decreasing productivity, the Carolina Panthers parted ways with running back DeAngelo Williams earlier this offseason. Jonathan Stewart will be the undisputed lead back in Carolina now, though head coach Ron Rivera still expects a timeshare in the backfield.
Fozzy Whittaker has some solid burst but is unlikely to see a significant chunk of the running duties. That means the Panthers will have to find a clear cut No. 2 running back elsewhere.
"The thing you've got to be careful about in this league is you can't rely on one player at one position," Rivera said, according to the Charlotte Observer. "I think at running back it's definitely been proven that you've got to have a good two-back tandem. And that's what we're looking for. We're looking for that complement to Jonathan."
Lucky for the Panthers, this year's draft is full of talented running backs, perhaps none more so than Georgia's Todd Gurley. Gurley was expected to compete for the Heisman Trophy last season before he was suspended four games for accepting money in exchange for signed memorabilia. Gurley then tore his ACL in his first game back. Still, he is considered the most talented back in the draft and even visited with the Panthers two weeks ago.
"General manager Dave Gettleman came away impressed with Gurley's personality and demeanor, but said Gurley's status will be determined in large part by what doctors find when they examine his knee at the 'medical re-check' in Indianapolis next month," Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer wrote.
Most NFL draft observers believe Gurley and Wisconsin's Melvin Gordon are first-round talents, though no running back has been selected in the top 32 picks since 2012. The Panthers hold the 25th overall pick. While the running back position has been devalued in recent seasons, Rivera knows a powerful running game is an important attribute for his team and Gurley could be a star at the next level.
