Panthers' Draft: Running Backs & Rebuild

0:00On April 8th, the Carolina Panthers head into the 2026 NFL draft with a solid running back core. Hades Steeples and Steeples see holding picks at 19 overall in. Round 151 in Round 2, 83 in Round 3, and more through Day 3, including 158 from Minnesota. Chuba Hubbard locked down his spot with a big extension last year, leading the rush even after missing a couple early games in 2025. Rico Dowdell stepped up big with a thousand yard season, but bounced to Pittsburgh in free agency, leaving Hubbard as the clear 1-2 punch guy. Meanwhile, first-rounder Jonathan Brooks from 2024 is finally healthy after back-to-back ACL setbacks, and no action last year. Coaches in GM Dan Morgan are hyped about Brooks suiting up soon, with headman Dave Canalis saying at owner's meetings he's expecting him ready for. OTA's in May and pumped to see the pre-injury speed return to the field. Top prospects like Notre Dame's Jeremiah Love, the number one back and a top 3 overall

1:02talent per PFF with back-to-back thousand yard seasons, and Mad Miss Tackle's Forced could tempt them early. Arkansas's Mike Washington Jr., Nebraska's Emmett Johnson with over 1400 yards, Washington's Jonah Coleman as a TD machine, and Wake. Others vet Demon Claireborn, round out names popping in mocks across all rounds. Panthers might add depth or upside without forcing in, keeping eyes on how these backs fit their rebuild, while Hubbard and Brooks carry the load right, out the gate.