The Carolina Panthers entered the 2015 NFL Draft with a number of needs, including running back.
After the team released career rushing leader DeAngelo Williams, the Panthers were left with Jonathan Stewart and Fozzy Whittaker on the depth chart. It was obvious the team would be interested in drafting a running back, and there were even reports that the Panthers may draft Todd Gurley or Melvin Gordon at 25th overall, if they were available. Both guys were off the board before their pick in the third round, so the Panthers waited and selected Auburn running back Cameron Artis-Payne in the fifth round (No. 174 overall).
With the lack of value on running backs these days, it’s become normal to find a starting running back in the last couple rounds of the draft, or as an undrafted free agent. The Panthers didn’t necessarily draft Artis-Payne with the idea that he would become a starter, but more to have another option in the backfield to keep Stewart from having to carry the ball 25 times a game. I think Stewart’s days are numbered now, and Artis-Payne will be the Panthers’ leading ball carrier in 2015.
A lot of the Panthers’ running game is run out of the shotgun, with most plays being option-based. Cam Newton is the one who brought that style of running game with him from Auburn, and helped former offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski install it in the Panthers’ playbook.
When Chudzinski left to become the head coach of the Cleveland Browns, the Panthers hired quarterbacks coach Mike Shula as the new offensive coordinator and the offensive playbook was kept in tact. Newton brought those plays with him from Auburn, where Gus Malzahn was the offensive coordinator at the time. Artis-Payne played his final two years in college under Malzahn, who is now Auburn’s head coach.
Having that familiarity with the offense will allow Artis-Payne to focus on other areas of his game, like pass protection, rather than trying to learn those running plays. It’s a huge advantage for him, and it could allow him to contribute much quicker than other rookies.
Artis-Payne has the perfect running style for this system. He is a one-cut back who takes what is there and doesn’t try to do too much. He possesses a little more of a burst in the open field compared to Stewart, and he always tends to fall forward for extra yards. The Panthers found the perfect running back for their system, which could equate to a massive year for the Panthers and Artis-Payne.
Jason Fletcher is a MLB Featured Writer for www.Rantsports.com. Follow him on Twitter @JasonFletcher25, “Like” him on Facebook, or add him to your network on Google+.