Who Should I Start? Miles Sanders or Tyrone Tracy Jr.

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).

Sunday, January 5, 6:45 PM

New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. rushed for 59 yards on 14 carries during Sunday's Week 18 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. He also caught two passes for an additional seven yards through the air. The rookie out of Purdue was solid in his first pro season, but he did endure a rough stretch with just 3.9 yards per carry over his final five games. All in all, Tracy finished as a mid-range RB3 in fantasy football, amassing 839 rushing yards, 284 receiving yards, and six total touchdowns. The Giants may look to bring in some running back competition this offseason, but Tracy has an early leg up on the starting job for 2025.