5 Panthers on Thin Ice Heading Into the NFL Draft

3. Miles Sanders - RB

Miles Sanders came to Carolina with big expectations as the top running back, signing a four-year, $25+ million deal to leave the Eagles. By mid-October, he lost his job to Chubba Hubbard, who ended the year with over 1,100 yards from scrimmage at a much more manageable price tag.

The Panthers have can get out of Sanders' contract after this season, a likely possibility considering his high cost and underwhelming production. Hubbard is an unrestricted free agent in 2025 and it's bad business in the NFL to give two running backs large contracts, let alone one.

Sanders had just 14 carries total over the final four weeks of the season, ending the year averaging an untenable 3.3 yards per carry with one total TD.

It's already clear that Carolina doesn't view Sanders as a long-term answer. They'd be wise to see if Hubbard is worth an extension, though I'd expect the team to invest in the position at some point in the draft too.

Barring an injury to Hubbard or a dramatic change in how the Panthers view the backfield, Sanders' contract will go down in infamy.