Through two preseason games, the Carolina Panthers have put up just 13 points while also being shelled for 50 during that time, leading to a 0-2 record. Preseason or not, Carolina is showing the NFL that there is no proof in their pudding.
Head Coach Dave Canales has approached the podium each game to tell us that the team is not executing on easy, early snaps and often putting themselves in bad position through penalties. During the two-game stretch, the team had 13 penalties for 116 yards, often putting themselves in situations where a simple drive was now ending in a punt.
Offensive Line Injury Concerns
Fantasy relevancy be damned, the team is trying to keep together what good mojo it has moving forward with injuries at key positions already stacking up. Offensive line or OL depth has had multiple issues from depth player Chandler Zavala working through a partially torn patella tendon, starting guard Damien Lewis is dealing with a loss of strength and mobility in his left shoulder, and even Robert Hunt dealt with a ankle wrap up situation during a joint practice. With issues like that on an offensive line that was ranked 12th overall with a PFF rating of 85.9, the bottom can quickly fall out from their key offensive option as well, the run game.
Running Back Outlook
In 2024, RB Chuba Hubbard averaged 4.8 yards per carry on 1,195 rushing yards, led the team in rushing TDs with 10, while also adding in 43 receptions for 171 yards and a touchdown. In fantasy, Chuba was averaging 16.1 points per game, making him a starter for most at the running back position. The room also adds on RB Rico Dowdle who had over 1,000 yards for his previous team the Dallas Cowboys, as well as rookie Georgia RB Trevor Etienne who was no slouch in college. The question is now that the team has doubled down on WR talent, does the RB room suffer? The answer I believe is yes.
Fantasy Implications/Outlook
Drafting for a redraft league, the Carolina Panthers are a team that truly can become a massive issue depending on where you’re drafting players. Chuba Hubbard is bound to return to the norm, as well as see less receptions overall with the addition of RB Rico Dowdle. While rookie WR Tetairoa McMillan is a fantastic dynasty option, the history of the team would tell us that this is a regression year. The teams WR room even includes studs all over from Xavier Legette, to Adam Thielen, Hunter Renfrow, Jalen Coker and Jimmy Horn Jr.! We here at Blitz even rank Tetairoa as PPR #47 overall, and WR23, ahead of guys like Kansas City Chiefs WRs Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy.
The team truly hinges on the performance that QB Bryce Young is going to deliver. If it’s the improvement upon his last 10 games then we might be cooking with fire, but the regression seems almost set in stone at the moment. Bryce seems motivated to answer questions in post-practice or post-game press conferences yet also doesn’t ever seem like the fire has been lit inside of him. Instead the fans are seeing at times a timid QB accept the blame, say he will improve and just deliver it to you down the middle – yet the product we are seeing on the field is subpar.
Best Case Scenario
The explosion of last year’s Bryce Young continues to erupt as he is able to execute the Dave Canales/Brad Idzik offense in a way that allows for ball control through the run game and playing on time. The RB room remains healthy and thriving in moments while the WR is able to feast in the red zone and in long field situations. Defense is holding up well as the rookie pass rushers are developing into their roles alongside now 2x Pro Bowler Derrick Brown. All while staying healthy. That would be the best case scenario for this team, though I do believe it to be a farfetched one as the injuries are already there.
Is there a way to chance life for any of these players both as a fan or even for fantasy implications?
I genuinely don’t know. It’s truly a dark time in the realm of Carolina Panthers sports, and if this preseason is any indication of what lies ahead, I would tell you to fade every single Panthers player in fantasy for fear of disappointing you to our once great team.
