The running back situation is interesting for the Carolina Panthers. Rookie rusher Christian McCaffrey looks to be sharing the load with veteran Jonathan Stewart. McCaffrey is the better pass-catching back and that will bode well for him against the New Orleans Saints. The Saints defense has given up 185 passing yards to opposing running backs so far this season. That is the worst in the NFL.
Fantasy football Week 3: Christian McCaffrey, start or sit?
Will the Panthers rookie be able to bounce back against division rival New Orleans? We look at the fantasy implications.
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Panthers head coach Ron Rivera has not promised anything to his rookie rusher. Using the “hot hand” approach, the Panthers plan to just go to whomever is playing the best at the time. The first two weeks of the season, the Panthers have favored Stewart in the running game, giving the veteran nine more carries than McCaffrey. The rookie dominates the passing looks, however, getting nine more targets than Stewart.
Fantasy impact: McCaffrey is a streaming rusher. Week to week his fantasy stock can jump or dive depending on the Panthers’ matchup. This is a good week though. The Saints are dead last in the NFL against the pass, especially against pass-catching running backs, and McCaffrey is Carolina’s undisputed pass catcher out of the backfield.
