Who Should I Start? Raheem Blackshear or Cody Schrader

Tuesday, July 1, 9:30 PM

Carolina Panthers running back Raheem Blackshear will "almost exclusively be a special teams player" in 2025 if the team elects to keep a fourth RB around beyond training camp, writes The Charlotte Observer's Alex Zietlow. The Panthers only kept three RBs a year ago. Even with rookie Jonathon Brooks (knee) out for most of last season, Blackshear didn't have a single rushing attempt until Week 16. The 27-year-old will primarily be competing with David Moore, Jimmy Horn Jr. and Hunter Renfrow for a spot on the team's 53-man roster as a return option. The former undrafted free agent in 2022 has had 68 touches for 341 scrimmage yards and three touchdowns on offense for the Panthers in the last three years while adding 66 kickoff returns for 1,734 yards and 23 punt returns for 200 yards. He's off the fantasy radar in the vast majority of leagues.

Saturday, August 16, 11:48 PM

Los Angeles Rams running back Cody Schrader rushed for 48 yards on 13 carries during Saturday's preseason win over the Los Angeles Chargers. He also caught two of his three targets for an additional 24 receiving yards. Through two preseason games, Schrader has a total of 140 yards. The Missouri product entered this preseason on the outside looking in. He still faces an uphill battle to make the team, as Kyren Williams, Jarquez Hunter, and Blake Corum are essentially roster locks. However, if Los Angeles opts to carry four running backs, Schrader has made a case for himself over Ronnie Rivers. Regardless of Los Angeles' final roster decisions, Schrader will be several rungs away from an impactful role. He should be left on waivers in all fantasy leagues.