Who Should I Start? Mike Boone or Miles Sanders

Sunday, January 5, 5:57 PM

Carolina Panthers running back Mike Boone was a non-factor in Sunday's 44-38 overtime victory over the Atlanta Falcons in Week 18. Boone rushed for 18 yards on four carries while catching one pass for minus two yards. The Panthers activated Miles Sanders (ankle) off the injured reserve, and Boone took a clear backseat to Sanders in this one. He was out-touched by Sanders 17 to four in the contest. However, Boone did have the same number of rushing attempts as last week's starter, Raheem Blackshear. During the season, Boone had nine carries for 33 yards, which is not a recommended fantasy option for managers in 2025.

Thursday, February 20, 10:48 AM

Running back Miles Sanders signed a four-year, $25.4 million deal with the Carolina Panthers before the 2023 season, but his biggest supporters, head coach Frank Reich and assistant coach Duce Staley, were fired 11 games into that season. Sanders then took on a backup role behind Chuba Hubbard. The Athletic's Joseph Person writes that the Panthers will create $5.23 million in salary cap space this year by cutting Sanders. Jonathon Brooks is expected to miss the entire 2025 season after a second ACL surgery, but Carolina should be able to find cheaper RB options than Sanders to serve in a backup role to Hubbard. The 27-year-old was a first-time Pro Bowler in his final season with the Eagles in 2022, but he was not the same back in Carolina, averaging only 3.5 yards per carry while racking up 637 rushing yards and only three touchdowns on 184 rushing attempts in 27 games (seven starts).