Day 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft is underway, and the Carolina Panthers added to their offensive arsenal by selecting Georgia running back Trevor Etienne with the 114th overall pick. Let’s look at how Etienne could fit into the Panthers’ depth chart.
Panthers Grab Trevor Etienne in 2nd Round of 2025 NFL Draft
Carolina addressed two major needs in the first three rounds of this year’s draft. They gave Bryce Young a weapon by picking receiver Tetairoa McMillan at No. 8. Then, they brought in a pair of edge rushers with both Night 2 picks.
Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen bolster Carolina’s pass rush, and Panthers fans had to be happy heading into Day 3. They could still use defensive help, but filling those two needs with early picks means the front office can play around with the team’s late-round selections.
The running back room was presumably set after Carolina drafted Jonathon Brooks in the second round last year and brought Rico Dowdle in via free agency. Chuba Hubbard is the lead back, but Etienne should get some run early in his career.
Chuba Hubbard
Hubbard slowly became Carolina’s featured back after being picked in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He was the team’s leading rusher by a wide margin in 2024, posting 1,195 yards and 10 touchdowns.
He established himself as the lead ball carrier, but has never been a notable pass game threat. Last year, Hubbard totaled 43 receptions for just 171 yards and one score. Etienne will have to ball out in training camp to unseat Hubbard.
Rico Dowdle
The Panthers signed Dowdle to a one-year, $275 million contract this offseason after being the lead running back for the Dallas Cowboys in 2024. Dallas’ offense was a mess last season, but Dowdle managed 1,079 rushing yards and two touchdowns. He added 39 receptions, 249 yards, and three scores through the air.
Dowdle and Hubbard could be one of the best running back combinations next season, as both have been featured backs in their careers.
Trevor Etienne
Etienne should fit in as Carolina’s third running back heading into 2025. He may never have been the undisputed big fish in the collegiate backfields he played in, but he still showed plenty of NFL-level talent in the SEC.
He has the vision to make plays in the NFL, between the tackles and in the open field. He brings above-average athleticism to the table, helping him break away for big gains and making defenders miss in space. It’s clear he’s an athletic back, but it’s his abilities in between the ears that allow him to better maximize those tools.
Etienne totaled 2,081 yards and 23 rushing touchdowns over his three years in college. After two years at Florida, he transferred to Georgia and played 10 games last season. He should be a good member of Carolina’s running back stable.
