The Panthers made Jonathon Brooks the first running back this year, going up to No. 46 for the Texas product (via the Colts). No other team has selected a running back in the first two rounds, with Brooks going off the board 20 spots ahead of the next RB (the Cardinals’) Trey Benson) was awarded. The Panthers have big plans for the newcomer, but a role on the field will have to wait.
Brooks is recovering from a torn ACL he suffered in November 2023 and hasn’t practiced. He’s also not particularly close to participating in a Panthers workout, according to Joe Person of The Athletic, who states it’s “almost certain” the second-round pick will begin the season on the reserve/NFI list (subscription required).
Several weeks before Brooks’ draft, a report noted that his timeline was somewhat different than what actually emerged when the talented ball carrier joined the Panthers. Brooks was expected to be ready for training camp, but an early August offer included a window early in the season – possibly Week 3 or Week 4 – for the former Bijan Robinson Backup to debut. The expected placement on the NFI list would mean that Brooks sits out at least until Week 5.
With the Giants posing a threat to Brooks at No. 47, the Panthers traded up — using two fifth-round picks as ammunition to move up six spots — to get their promising running back of the future. Brooks would certainly have been selected sooner had he not suffered the serious knee injury, but the Panthers are still in the early stages of a rebuild and want to be cautious with his recovery. By the looks of things, Chuba Hubbard And Miles Sanders are Carolina’s best RBs.
Brooks’ rookie contract runs through the 2027 season, while Hubbard is in a contract year and Sanders’ contract includes a fully guaranteed salary for 2024. A future where neither veteran is on the 2025 team is possible, clearing the way for Brooks. For now, though, a player who accumulated 1,139 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns in just 11 games last season will have about 11 months to recover (Brooks was out on Nov. 11, 2023).
The Panthers were also no doubt intrigued by Brooks’ light workload in college, as Robinson was atop the Longhorns’ order of play. Brooks totaled just 51 carries between the 2021 and 2022 seasons, opening up the possibility of a longer NFL career for him – once he completes his rehab. Once activated, Brooks will almost certainly ease back into the game slowly, as Hubbard and Sanders remain in play.
