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Louisville football: Reggie Bonnafon is a sleeper for Carolina Panthers

By Presley Meyer

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 06: Reggie Bonnafon #39 of the Carolina Panthers scores a touchdown in the fourth quarter during their game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Bank of America Stadium on October 06, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 06: Reggie Bonnafon #39 of the Carolina Panthers scores a touchdown in the fourth quarter during their game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Bank of America Stadium on October 06, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) /
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Carolina Panthers back-up running back and former Louisville football star Reggie Bonnafon is a name to watch in the lead up to your fantasy 2020 fantasy football draft. Here’s why.

If you’re a Louisville football fan, you’re pretty familiar with the name Reggie Bonnafon. But for those new to following the Carolina Panthers or don’t follow the Cards, Bonnafon is a name to watch in your fantasy football draft this year; And if you aren’t sold, he is at the very least a waiver wire pick-up.

I promise you I may be the only person to write this on planet Earth, and that’s okay. However, based on the Carolina Panthers free agency dealings and the potential for breakout seasons, Bonnafon appears to be set for improvement this season that could possibly trend towards RB2 or fantasy flex territory if things go well for him.

A little background is required first:

Reggie Bonnafon is the clearly cemented back-up to 2019 MVP candidate and potential 2020 MVP front-runner Christian McCaffrey.

McCaffrey was one of the lone bright spots on a Panthers squad that crashed and burned near the end of 2019. Carolina finished 5-11 on the season, Ron Rivera- who was Carolina’s coach for eight years- parted ways with the team, and the best player in franchise history- Cam Newton– is set to depart amid the 2020 free agency shuffle. McCaffrey finished the 2019 season as only the third player ever to go for 1,000 yards rushing and receiving in the same season.

Bonnafon was a four-year utility man at the University of Louisville. He began his freshman year as a quarterback, rotating in and out of the starting line-up. He led the Cardinals to their first-ever win at Notre Dame during his freshman season. When Lamar Jackson came onto the scene at Louisville, Bonnafon was used as a running back, and eventually a wide receiver for the Cardinals.

In his rookie year, Bonnafon rushed 16 times for 116 yards and a touchdown that sealed the game for the Panthers in their win over Jacksonville.

Those certainly aren’t promising numbers, but you are looking for a deep sleeper, remember? And Bonnafon is just that. A player budding with potential just waiting for an opportunity to make believers out of everyone.

Let’s take a look at three reasons why Reggie Bonnafon is an excellent pick-up and addition to your fantasy team.

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