Panthers signed fourth-round RB Chubba Hubbard to a four-year contract.
He's the first of Carolina's 11 draft picks to agree to a contract. A Canadian high school track star, Hubbard (6’0/210) signed with Oklahoma State as a three-star recruit and immediately showcased difference-making top speed. He became an All-American as a sophomore by rushing for 2,084 yards and 21 touchdowns on 328 carries, but that workload was arguably too heavy for Hubbard to handle. He had two offseason surgeries and suffered an ankle sprain last season, tanking his timed top-end speed (4.50 forty) and draft stock in the process. Overall, Hubbard isn’t going to break many arm tackles in the pros and likely comes with a touch restriction. To maximize his in-space talents, Hubbard needs to develop his pass-catching abilities (53 career receptions). He profiles as a big-play No. 2 or No. 3 back in the NFL but obviously won't handle many touches behind Christian McCaffrey. He'll be a tremendous option to stash on rosters (a la Mike Davis) just in case injuries surprisingly spring on McCaffrey once again.
SOURCE: Pro Football Talk on Twitter
May 6, 2021, 12:28 PM ET