The 2027 NFL Draft feels like forever away, and we’re all caught up in the start of the NFL season. Regardless, it’s never too early to look ahead to the Draft. This weekly series will take a closer look at some of the prospects the Carolina Panthers could select in the 2027 iteration of the Draft. In this series, we’ll only be looking at prospects the Panthers could seriously consider. This week our profile will focus on Florida Gators running back Jadan Baugh.
Bio
Baugh (6’1”, 230 lbs.) is the rare
recruit to see substantial playing time as a true freshman in the SEC. Originally committed to Arkansas, the four star recruit out of Decatur, GA flipped to the Florida Gators late in the process. Not only did Baugh see the field a lot, he actually led the Gators in rushing during his true freshman season, racking up 673 yards and eight total touchdowns that season. Last year, still just a true sophomore, Baugh toted the rock 221 times for 1,168 yards and eight touchdowns and added a modest 210 yards and a couple scores through the air as well. Baugh has exploded in three games this season, already rushing for 458 yards and eight touchdowns on 8.5 yards per carry. Two of those three games have been against relative cupcakes, but that production is undeniable.
Strengths/Weaknesses
Baugh has the frame of a bell cow back in the NFL. He’s still a young player as a true junior but has the patience and technique of a much more seasoned player. He consistently runs behind his pads, rarely getting knocked backwards and routinely breaking arm tackles to extend runs. What could be his biggest strength in some coaches’ eyes is his ball security: Baugh has been credited with a lone fumble throughout his entire collegiate career. While he isn’t exactly Christian McCaffrey in the receiving game, he is a good enough receiver out of the backfield to make teams pay attention to swings and checkdowns.
At the next level, teams will want him to do more in the passing game, especially with modern NFL offenses. He’ll also need to be coached up on his pass blocking technique and decision making in order to be a true three-down back. Baugh is not the type of back to win “in a phone booth,” relying more heavily on vision and patience to hit larger holes.
Projection
Baugh is exploding up draft boards, with some mock drafts having him as a first round selection (a couple even mocking him to the Panthers in the 20s). With his combination of workhorse durability, size, explosiveness, and ball security, it’s no wonder that he’s in the first round conversation. The Panthers could definitely use some young depth at running back, especially now that Jonathan Brooks is on IR with another surgery (this time a groin issue). Chuba Hubbard is not getting any younger, and Trevor Etienne has not flashed as a true number-one back type of player. Baugh would be a reliable backfield battery mate for Bryce Young, adding another element to the offense.
What do you think, Panthers fans? If Jadan Baugh is available when the Panthers select in the 2027 NFL Draft, should they take him? Sound off in the comments!
