Who Should I Start? Raheem Blackshear or DeWayne McBride

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.

Monday, July 22, 4:42 PM

Minnesota Vikings running back DeWayne McBride (undisclosed) is being placed on the non-football injury list, the team announced on Monday. McBride joined the organization as a seventh-round pick last year, but he did not appear in a game after spending the season on the practice squad. McBride was once a deep sleeper in fantasy football following his prolific college career at UAB which saw him rush for over 3,000 yards and 32 touchdowns in his sophomore and junior seasons combined. Heading into his second year as a pro, he'll likely have a tough time earning a role behind Aaron Jones, Ty Chandler, and Kene Nwangwu, especially since he's beginning the offseason with an injury.