Carolina Panthers: Top 5 offseason additions, post 2018 NFL Draft

SAN DIEGO, CA - OCTOBER 13: C.J. Anderson #22 of the Denver Broncos carries the ball as he is followed by Caraun Reid #91 of the San Diego Chargers during the fourth quarter of a 21-13 Charger win at Qualcomm Stadium on October 13, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

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DENVER, CO – OCTOBER 1: Running back C.J. Anderson #22 of the Denver Broncos rushes against the Oakland Raiders during a game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on October 1, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /

1. C.J. Anderson, RB (from Denver Broncos)

Think of the irony. The Carolina Panthers won their first 14 games back in 2015, finished 15-1 during the regular season and then pushed around the Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals in the playoffs. But the franchise’s second attempt at an NFL championship was squashed by a superior Denver Broncos’ defense at Levi’s Stadium as Ron Rivera’s club fell in Super Bowl 50 by a 24-10 count.

In that game, Carolina’s formidable defense limited the Broncos to a mere 194 total yards. But Denver got a solid effort from running back C.J. Anderson. He totaled 23 carries for 90 yards and scored the club’s lone offensive touchdown of the game.

In five seasons in the Mile High City, the former undrafted free agent totaled 693 carries for 3,051 yards and 20 scores in 58 regular-season appearances. There were also 103 receptions for 859 yards and four touchdowns. And he was coming off a season in which he started all 16 games and ran for a career-best 1,007 yards. Still, the Broncos opted to part ways with the five-year pro.

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But Denver’s loss could very well turn into a huge gain for the Panthers. This offseason, the organization released veteran running back Jonathan Stewart (who latched on with the New York Giants). You can expect Christian McCaffrey to take on a bigger role with Rivera’s club this year. And Anderson gives Carolina some veteran insurance in the backfield.

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