If the Carolina Panthers elect to draft a running back in round-one, Christian McCaffrey is a better option than Leonard Fournette …

The Carolina Panthers know they need to help quarterback Cam Newton and most reports surrounding the team have been focused on attaining an offensive weapon or two via the draft. Over the next few weeks, pieces to the NFL Draft puzzle will continue to be revealed but Carolina targeting a running back at some point is almost a certainty.

The Panthers recently sent a large contingent of personnel to the LSU Pro Day in Baton Rouge. While there were a plethora of prospects at the event, many assumed Carolina was there to examine running back Leonard Fournette for their first overall pick.

However, at the same time rumors reemerged from early into the draft process that the team had an interest in Stanford’s Christian McCaffrey. On top of that, talk that McCaffrey would be drafted by pick ten surfaced, which of course suggested pick No. 8 to the Panthers. While the correct answer may be to draft a running back after day one, if Carolina is truly debating between the two, McCaffrey is the better fit.

Role in the Offense

There is virtually one way to utilize Fournette by playing to his strength. Line him up behind a fullback in the I-formation and have him smash the football between the tackles. He can get out in space and is strong on toss plays, but those are also set up by him running under center and following lead blocks.

McCaffrey is more versatile and benefits from the shotgun formation. He can catch out of the backfield and has the ability to stand next to Newton, read defenses and pick the correct running lane without the benefit of a fullback.

That ability must be given consideration in the Carolina offense. Last season, the Panthers ran 76-percent of all offensive plays from the shotgun, fourth most in the NFL. In addition, the team released fullback Mike Tolbert this offseason and will likely face a downgrade at the position.

A fullback is not integral to the Panthers offense. Questions about Newton, going all the way back to his college days were how he would handle an offense operating under center. Fortunately, Carolina has based their style on the skill set of Newton and that has not been an issue.

Drafting Fournette would be attempting to fit a square peg in a round hole. Whether it be Newton or Fournette, someone would have to change their style and with a top ten pick, that is never the smartest bet.

Jonathan Stewart Extension

Another piece of news that popped up during draft season was the extension given to current running back, Jonathan Stewart. All thoughts are that Stewart will play his next two seasons in Carolina before determining his future. However, for at least two more seasons Stewart will be involved in the offense. If the Panthers draft Fournette, he would be an immediate replacement as Stewart’s role would either decline substantially or the Panthers would wait two years before unlocking Fournette. A draft of McCaffrey provides a Stewart compliment in a different type of back and slower transition during the next two years.

Stewart and Fournette cannot share the same backfield in a way that McCaffrey and Stewart can.

McCaffrey and Fournette are both extreme talents. Both have the pedigree, college success and athleticism to excel at the next level. The Panthers seem to have an interest in both but considering the fit and usage, if pick No. 8 becomes a decision between them the answer has to be McCaffrey.