The Carolina Panthers have agreed on a deal with running back Raheem Blackshear. The two sides have agreed on a one year deal worth $985,000 for the 2024 season. The 24-year-old will return to Carolina after spending each of the last two seasons with the organization. He has mainly been used as a reserve back and special teams player. Through two seasons, Blackshear has 37 carries for 123 yards and three touchdowns in 25 games. There is unlikely to be fantasy value here unless Carolina loses one or two running backs due to injury.
Raheem Blackshear Could Be Outlet Option In Backfield
Carolina Panthers running back Raheem Blackshear didn't have a ton of success during his rookie season in 2022. However, Blackshear was one of the few names that head coach Frank Reich mentioned as a standout during spring practices. The belief is that Blackshear could emerge as an outlet option for quarterback Bryce Young. The Panthers don't have a legitimate pass-catcher in the backfield. Both Miles Sanders and Chuba Hubbard aren't very efficient on passing downs. That being said, Blackshear has a chance to earn himself a bigger role in Carolina. He caught 123 passes during his five seasons in college. Possibly, Blackshear ends up as the primary pass-catcher in the backfield next season. Fantasy managers shouldn't put Blackshear on the fantasy radar yet, but he's a name to watch during training camp.
Carolina Panthers running back Raheem Blackshear could be in line to see a bigger role in the offense this year under new head coach Frank Reich. The coaching staff has liked what they've seen so far from Blackshear in offseason workouts after he was signed by the team last September. The 25-year-old former undrafted free agent played in 13 games (one start) in 2022 and had just 23 carries for 77 yards and three touchdowns while adding 10 receptions for 93 yards. D'Onta Foreman is now gone, but the Panthers added Miles Sanders as their lead back for the 2023 campaign. Chuba Hubbard is also still around, but Blackshear could carve out a bigger pass-catching role behind Sanders this year, making him one to keep an eye on in deep PPR fantasy leagues.
Raheem Blackshear, Shi Smith Competing For Punt-Return Job
Carolina Panthers running back Raheem Blackshear ranked among the league's top-10 kickoff returners last year with a 27-yard average. However, the team's punt-return job looks to be wide open this summer, with wide receivers Shi Smith, Damiere Byrd and Marquez Stevenson and Blackshear in the mix. Stevenson returned kicks and punts for the Buffalo Bills in 2021 after being taken in the sixth round. "We have some guys that we're kind of working through. Some of the rookies just showed up," special teams coordinator Chris Tabor said. "It's going to be a work in progress but I'm excited about the guys that we have just because of how hard they work. That'll give us a chance."
Carolina Panthers running back Raheem Blackshear finished with six carries for 32 yards in a Week 10 victory over the Atlanta Falcons. He was not targeted through the air as quarterback PJ Walker only attempted 16 total passes in the contest. Blackshear out-touched Chuba Hubbard by one rush attempt while D'Onta Foreman handled 31 carries. Hubbard, who had just returned from a two-week absence on Thursday night, will likely be given more opportunities in the coming weeks, making it hard to see a scenario in which Blackshear has fantasy value. He does not need to be rostered in 2022 redraft leagues.
Carolina Panthers running back Raheem Blackshear finished with five carries for 13 yards and a touchdown, adding four receptions for 40 yards on four targets in a Week 9 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. With the team down 35-0 at halftime, Blackshear saw an expanded role, specifically as a receiver out of the backfield with Baker Mayfield at quarterback in the second half. The rookie could continue to be involved going forward when Carolina trails, but D'Onta Foreman and a healthy Chuba Hubbard (ankle) will be the preferred fantasy options.
Buffalo Bills running back Raheem Blackshear has opened some eyes with his play during the preseason. In the preseason opener, Blackshear scored two touchdowns, but only managed 11 rushing yards. On Saturday, the rookie back rushed five times for a team-high 58 yards in the win over the Denver Broncos. The Bills are going to have some tough decisions to make when it's time to make roster cuts. This roster has too many backs and not enough touches for everyone. It's hard to imagine Blackshear making the roster with how many players are currently ahead of him on the depth chart. There's certainly potential here with Blackshear, but he's not worth rostering in most fantasy formats right now.
