The Carolina Panthers are looking for something, anything, to help them get on track in 2023. At 0-5, they are the last remaining winless team in the NFL after the Chicago Bears blew out the Washington Commanders on Thursday Night Football to kick off Week 5.

There hasn’t been much to get excited about when watching the Panthers thus far this season. They are struggling pretty much across the board as their attempt to surround No. 1 pick Bryce Young with some veteran talent to ease his transition into the NFL has not gone according to plan.

Receivers are struggling to consistently create separation to get open, leading to some middling results through the air. Carolina currently ranks 22nd in passing yards this season and 29th in net yards per attempt. 

It would certainly help take some pressure off of Young if the ground game was able to get going. The Panthers are 21st in rushing yards and 20th in yards per attempt as teams aren’t too scared of them getting the job done rushing the ball.

That is certainly disappointing as the Panthers went into free agency and signed Miles Sanders to a four-year deal. A drop in production going from the Philadelphia Eagles to the Panthers was expected, but the regression has been steep. Through five games he has managed only 190 yards on 61 carries with one touchdown, averaging 3.1 yards per carry.

That is a career-low YPC average for Sanders, who averaged 5.0 in his career with the Eagles. As a result of his struggles, head coach Frank Reich has changed the backfield rotation, with Chuba Hubbard taking over as the early-down runner.

Hubbard has found much more success, gaining a first down or rushing for a touchdown on 37.1 percent of his carries compared to a paltry 14.8 for Sanders. He is forcing more missed tackles as a ball carrier as well, providing the ground game with some spark.

This is something to keep an eye on for Fantasy Football managers as Hubbard is getting all of the money touches. He was on the field for three goal-line plays compared to one for Sanders and out-snapped him 4-2 during the two-minute drill as well.

While Sanders has been the better pass catcher to this point, Hubbard hasn’t been totally phased out of that area. Sanders only has two more receptions than Hubbard through five games, as this is a backfield that the roles are changing. Get in on Hubbard before it is too late and one of your Fantasy Football league mates beat you to the punch.