Who Should I Start? Raheem Blackshear or Lan Larison

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 9, 12:34 AM

New England Patriots running back Lan Larison rushed seven times for 35 yards and a touchdown during Friday's preseason opener against the Washington Commanders. He also caught each of his two targets for a total of nine yards through the air. Larison, a 23-year-old UC Davis product, signed with the team as an undrafted free agent back in May. As a result, he faces an uphill battle to make the roster. Nevertheless, he certainly made a positive impact and got himself noticed with Friday's productive showing. As the summer carries on, Larison will likely continue to compete with Terrell Jennings and JaMycal Hasty for the No. 4 running back role.