Who Should I Start? Raheem Blackshear or Raheim Sanders

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.

Thursday, August 28, 12:11 AM

The Cleveland Browns have claimed running back Raheim Sanders off waivers from the Los Angeles Chargers. The 23-year-old went undrafted out of South Carolina earlier this offseason. He was productive during the preseason, totaling 28 carries for 101 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. Although he looked solid this summer, it wasn't enough for him to earn a roster spot over Najee Harris, Omarion Hampton, or Hassan Haskins. He has a much more reasonable path to playing time with the Browns, who remain in a contract stalemate with rookie running back Quinshon Judkins. Sanders immediately slots in third on the Browns' depth chart behind Jerome Ford and Dylan Sampson. He should be avoided in most redraft leagues, but he might be worth stashing in the deepest dynasty leagues given that he could see some opportunities out of the backfield this year.