The dynamics of the Carolina Panthers backfield are interesting right now.

Jonathan Stewart is the established though injury-prone vet. Christian McCaffrey is the shiny new toy. Cameron Artis-Payne had a strong preseason and suddenly has Panthers fans intrigued about CAP finally breaking out.

And Fozzy.…is still just Fozzy.

But let’s not that for granted, Panthers fans. When Fozzy gets the ball in his hands, whether rushing or receiving, the dude just flat out picks up yards. To prove this point, just let this stat sink in:

Between 2014 and 2016, Fozzy Whittaker is one of just five running backs to average at least 4.5 yards per carry and at least 8.0 yards per reception.

In short, Fozzy has been one of the more effective dual-threat RBs in the NFL over the last three years. Though Whittaker doesn’t touch the ball very often, he churns out good yardage when he does.

The Stats Don’t Lie

Fozzy joined the Panthers in 2014 and through three seasons has carved out a role as a situational third down back and as depth for the inevitable Jonathan Stewart injuries. He’s not an every down back, but he effectively performs his limited role.

In three seasons with Carolina, he has 114 carries for 518 yards, or 4.54 yards per carry.

But he is also a good receiver out of the backfield. Since joining the Panthers he has hauled in 42 receptions for 350 yards, or 8.33 yards per reception.

This combination of 4.5-plus yards per carry and 8.0-plus yards per reception puts Fozzy in some pretty elite company. Here is the full list of RBs who meet the 4.5 YPC and 8.0 YPR threshold from 2014 through 2016 (minimum 110 rush attempts and 40 receptions), per Pro Football Reference:

1. Le’Veon Bell - 4.8 YPC, 8.8 YPR

2. Darren Sproles - 4.6 YPC, 8.2 YPR

3. Dion Lewis - 4.6 YPC, 9.1 YPR

4. C.J. Anderson - 4.6 YPC, 8.5 YPR

5. Fozzy Whittaker - 4.5 YPC, 8.3 YPR

The first four names on this list pass the eye test as solid dual-threat, rushing-receiving RBs. Fozzy’s inclusion on this list may come as bit of a surprise, though.

No, Fozzy isn’t on the same level or impact games like Le’Veon Bell or Darren Sproles. I’m not trying to claim he is as good as they are, because he’s not.

But Fozzy has a clear, though limited, role with the Panthers, and the stats show that when he’s asked to perform that role, he does it really well.

Don’t Pooh-Pooh the Stats

Your gut reaction may be to look at this list and say, “Yeah, but Fozzy has limited touches, mostly on third down passing plays where the defense is willing to give up a few extra yards while still preventing the first down.”

You may think Fozzy’s yards come a bit easier than most.

But that’s not true. If it was easy to rush for 4.5 yards per carry while also averaging over 8.0 yards per receptions, more RBs would do it.

Between 2014 and 2016 a total of 62 RBs had at least 110 carries and 40 total receptions.

Of those 62, only the five mentioned above, including Fozzy, joined The 4.5/8.0 Club.

If it was easy to be this effective both running and receiving, more RBs would do it.

But it’s not easy, so let’s give Fozzy the props he deserves.

Appreciating Fozzy

With the addition of Christian McCaffrey and factoring in Cameron Artis-Payne’s potential emergence, Fozzy’s role will probably be even more limited this year. But it’s still reassuring to know we have a dependable, effective dual-threat RB on the roster.

It’s reassuring to know we have a guy who once filled in for an injured Jonathan Stewart in 2016 and rushed for 100 yards on 16 carries (6.3 YPC) and caught three passes for 31 yards (10.3 YPR) in a Panthers win.

It’s reassuring to know we have a guy who can step in during a Wild Card Playoff game and turn a dump-off screen pass into an electric 39-yard TD to completely turn the tide in a come from behind Panthers postseason win.

Fozzy isn’t sexy. He isn’t dominant. He isn’t a workhorse.

But Fozzy knows his job on the Panthers team, and he does his job well.

Fozzy, this one’s for you.