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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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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – DECEMBER 22: Reggie Bonnafon #39 of the Carolina Panthers runs the ball in the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 22, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – DECEMBER 22: Reggie Bonnafon #39 of the Carolina Panthers runs the ball in the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 22, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

Bonnafon is the perfect fit in the Panthers offense

Christian McCaffrey’s don’t just grow on trees, but if there’s a player most similar to him in the league, it very well could be Bonnafon.

They are both multi-faceted players who are built to be every-down backs. Both Bonnafon and McCaffrey are built to withstand triple-digit carries throughout the season, they both have next-level breakaway speed, and they are both excellent pass-catchers out of the backfield.

Bonnafon is a McCaffrey clone, and he has proven in limited touches that he is more than capable of picking up where he leaves off in the offense.

Bonnafon averaged 7.3 yards per carry and 9.5 yards per reception in limited touches in 2019, and has the ability to carry the load whenever McCaffrey is not able to go.

As I mentioned, Rhule is not traditionally a one-back coach, and his new offensive coordinator, Joe Brady, is a guy who loves to spread it around the field.

As the offensive coordinator for defending national champion LSU, Brady valued using the running back in the passing game. He has the perfect system for both McCaffrey and Bonnafon, who both excel in pass blocking, slipping out into the flat as a receiving option, or being a dump down option in the middle of the field.

Bonnafon’s skill set as a former high school and college quarterback, as well as a college running back and wide receiver, stand to benefit him in all areas of his game.

Plus, if you are drafting into a PPR league, a guy like Bonnafon will be extremely valuable as a pass-catcher in all phases of the game.

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