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The Carolina Panthers have a crowded running back room heading into 2024. Can Raheem Blackshear find a way to carve out a role? Here's our 2024 player preview of the third-year Panthers' running back.
Height: 5'9" Weight: 180 lbs
Age: 25
College: Rutgers/Virginia Tech
2023 in Review
Blackshear had limited opportunities on offense last season, rushing the ball just nine times in the final two months of the season despite the struggles of Miles Sanders and inconsistency of Chuba Hubbard. The most action he received was in the blowout loss to the Miami Dolphins where he carriesd the rock five times for a grand total of 18 yards. He did, however, finish with the second-best average on kick returns for those who had 15 or more attempts (26.9 yards per return).
Expected Role in 2024:
Over his first two years in the league he's averaged just 3.3 yards per attempt. Although it is a small sample size, he doesn't have the traits to be a rotational running back that can be the number two or three guy on the depth chart, at least not on a regular basis. If you need to throw him a couple of carries every once in a while or he's forced into that RB3 role due to injury, he can manage. But there's a reason why Rashaad Penny was added to this group. He's the role specific back the Panthers needed. Blackshear's best shot of making an impact on this team is as a returner.
Career Stats:
More must-reads:
- Broncos make big move with Bo Nix's No. 1 target
- Broncos agree to extension with leading WR
- The 'NFL all-time touchdown receptions leaders' quiz
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Broncos make big move with Bo Nix's No. 1 target
The Denver Broncos are solidifying their future with the favorite target of second-year quarterback Bo Nix. Wide receiver Courtland Sutton and the Broncos agreed to a four-year, $92M contract extension Monday, via NFL Media's Tom Pelissero, Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo. Before the reported extension, the WR had one year left on his deal. Extending Sutton isn't risk-free for the Broncos. The 2018 second-round pick turns 30 on Oct. 10, the point when wideouts can fade. But his close relationship with Nix may outweigh that concern. Nix and Sutton like spending time together. In an April Instagram post sponsored by FedEx, the WR-QB tandem offered Denver rookies care packages. Nix also detailed why he has so much confidence in Sutton in November 2024. "He's just reliable, he's just always there when you need him," the QB said, via ESPN's Jeff Legwold. "He's smart. He's savvy. He makes plays when the ball is in the air. You can trust him. When it's up in the air, it's his or nobody's. It's not going to be a pick." Sutton proved reliable for Nix throughout the 2024 season. The one-time Pro Bowler led the Broncos in targets (135), receptions (81), receiving yards (1,081) and touchdown catches (eight) in 17 regular-season games. Nix, meanwhile, tossed the league's sixth-most TD passes (29 in 17 starts), finishing third in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting behind Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers and Washington Commanders QB Jayden Daniels. The Broncos' receiving corps lacks explosive playmakers. Except for Sutton, no Denver WR finished with more than 503 receiving yards last season. This offseason, the Broncos took Illinois WR Pat Bryant (pick No. 74) in the NFL Draft and signed TE Evan Engram to strengthen their passing attack. Engram made the Pro Bowl for the Jacksonville Jaguars during the 2023 season. Those moves may give Nix more options, but expect him to still lean heavily on his top weapon in 2025.
Maple Leafs Top Prospect Shatters Expectations at World Junior Showcase
The World Junior Summer Showcase is in full swing, and Maple Leafs top prospect Ben Danford is shattering expectations, truly proving how good of a player he can be. The Toronto Maple Leafs' defensive prospect, Ben Danford, is among the 44 players who were invited to Hockey Canada's World Juniors Summer Showcase. Hockey Canada finally unveiled the 44 prospects who will head to Minnesota for the showcase, after they held the roster release back while the organization dealt with several injuries, which begins Sunday and runs through August 2 in Minneapolis. Defensive prospect Ben Danford is the only Maple Leafs player invited to the annual showcase, where Canada's World Junior staff will get their first look at what their team might look like for the 2026 World Juniors, which will also take place in Minnesota in December. Danford is being called the best player at the World Juniors Summer Showcase Danford has been exceeding expectations, and one source revealed that he has been the best player at the World Junior Showcase so far. The source said Danford is steady, smart, and hard to ignore on the ice. 'Ben Danford has been the best player at the World Junior Showcase he's steady, smart, and impossible to ignore. Makes every shift count, whether he's breaking up plays or starting the rush. Canada's blue line is in good hands.' - An unnamed source The Maple Leafs selected Danford with their first pick (31st overall) at the 2024 NHL Draft. During his visit to Toronto's development camp earlier this month, the defender revealed that he's receiving mentorship from current Leafs defensemen as well as some alumni like Mark Giordano. The 6-foot-2 Danford could make for an excellent fit for Canada should he make the team. He is responsible in his own end, and he demonstrated leadership capabilities when he was named captain of the Oshawa Generals ahead of the 2024-25 OHL season.
Tigers Reportedly Trying to Finalize Eugenio Suárez Trade Before Diamondbacks Leave
The Detroit Tigers may not be out of it just yet in the pursuit of the top available player at this week's MLB trade deadline. Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suárez is sought after by just about every contender due to the incredible season he's had so far. However, many called into question how much of a fit he is for the Tigers. On paper, Suárez makes the lineup more dangerous, but many have pointed out that his presence might limit what the Tigers do best in terms of creating mismatches and having chess pieces to move around the diamond. More News: Tigers Make Troy Melton Permanent Part of MLB Rotation With Surprising Move The fact he's a rental and still may cost some premium prospect capital to acquire only strengthens the case that Detroit could opt to stay away. A new report on Monday though contradicts all that, though. Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported the Tigers are still very much a suitor for Suárez and want to get a deal done with the Diamondbacks before the slugger leaves town following this early-week series between the two sides. Through 104 games headed into the matchup with Detroit, Suárez is slashing .247/.319/.579 with 36 home runs and a big league-leading 87 RBI, already collecting a bWAR of 3.4. More News: Tigers Can Only Consider Trading Top Prospects at Deadline For These Four Stars There is no question that being able to land him would provide a massive boost to a Tigers offense that has been struggling immensely during the current cold streak these last couple of weeks. Suárez would instantly come in and add a new dynamic of power to the lineup while stabilizing what has been a revolving door at the hot corner all season long. How serious of an offer they are willing to make in order to make that happen remains to be seen. More News: Tigers Announce Surprising Move After Activating Kerry Carpenter from IL Detroit is positioned to win not just now, but in the future, so trading young assets for a rental would be a bold move indicating their belief in being a championship contender this year. If Nightengale is correct and the Tigers are trying to finalize a Suárez deal before he leaves the city of Detroit, look for the noise to heat up over the coming days. The spotlight on the 34-year-old this week is going to be one of the brightest of his Major League career. For more Tigers news, head over to Tigers On SI.
New suitor emerges for Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suarez
The Arizona Diamondbacks have plenty of suitors for third baseman Eugenio Suarez. A new team has reportedly entered the market for his services. Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that the Phillies have reached out regarding Suarez. While Lauber did not provide any indication as to whether or not those talks have gained traction, the Phillies are an intriguing suitor for the Diamondbacks' third baseman. The Phillies' interest may be a recent development. Jon Heyman of the New York Post speculated on Friday that the Phillies could emerge as a suitor in the wake of third baseman Alec Bohm landing on the injured list with a fractured left rib. Suarez is in the midst of what is arguably his best season thus far. He has produced a .249/.321/.587 batting line in 421 plate appearances entering Saturday with 36 homers and a major league-leading 87 RBI. Suarez would be more than just another powerful bat in the lineup. Designated hitter Kyle Schwarber and first baseman Bryce Harper are both left-handed hitters — adding Suarez would provide more balance in the batting order. He would also provide a counter against opposing managers bringing in a lefty reliever to face Schwarber and Harper. The biggest question would be how the Phillies would handle an eventual logjam on the roster. Bohm is expected to return from the IL in mid-August and would not have a clear path to regular at-bats if Suarez were acquired. Schwarber could theoretically return to left field to open up playing time at the DH spot, but his outfield defense is mediocre at best. However, as the Phillies are also looking to upgrade the outfield, where Max Kepler and Brandon Marsh have been disappointments, adding Suarez could solve several problems in one fell swoop.
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