They Must Give Christian McCaffrey More Help

So far in 2018, Cam Newton and second-year running back Christian McCaffrey have been the Panthers’ biggest weapons on offense. In the case of McCaffrey, he has 579 rushing yards, 439 receiving yards and eight total touchdowns.

In addition to being Carolina’s leading rusher, McCaffrey’s 54 receptions are far and away the most on the team. Conversely, No. 1 wide receiver Devin Funchess has 39 catches for a team-high 477 yards.

To be truly effective, the Panthers need more production from their other playmakers. Veteran tight end Greg Olsen has just 22 catches for 258 yards, albeit in limited action due to a re-fracture of his right foot in the season opener that cost him three games. But he needs to be targeted more in the weeks to come.

Rookie receiver DJ Moore and second-year wideout Curtis Samuel have proven their worth with big plays in both the running and passing games. They could do even more, though, and Panthers offensive coordinator Norv Turner has to continue to find ways to get the ball in their hands.

First-year tight end Ian Thomas is a big target who has the ability to go over the middle, while speedy receiver Damiere Byrd is also capable of making big plays but has seen limited action this season. But both could be integral to the Panthers’ success moving forward.

Carolina has no shortage of guys who can make plays. McCaffrey is certainly one of them, and thus should continue to receive opportunities to make them on a consistent basis. However, the last thing the Panthers need is an overworked running back who is worn down entering the stretch run.

According to Football Outsiders, McCaffrey has been in on 96.3 percent of the Panthers’ offensive snaps this season. That’s the highest snap rate of any running back in the NFL, with the Cowboys’ Ezekiel Elliott holding the second-highest snap rate at 88.9 percent.

People questioned whether McCaffrey could be an every-down back, and he has proven that he’s capable of doing that and then some. But with the release of backup C.J. Anderson earlier this week, McCaffrey’s workload could increase even more.

That’s hard to imagine given the fact that he’s already playing almost every snap, but it’s possible. To make sure that doesn’t happen, Cameron Artis-Payne needs to prove that he’s a viable second option in the backfield. Well, third option if you count Newton.

In short, McCaffrey needs some help. He has done a phenomenal job this season and the Panthers wouldn’t be 6-3 without him, but they also won’t get where they want to go without a little help from his friends.