Welcome to 32 teams in 32 days. To get us through the offseason, we’ll be taking a closer look at every team in the league, in order of projected 2023 win totals. Next up: the Panthers.
It’s a new era in Charlotte.
After watching the Panthers flounder under coach Matt Rhule for the better part of three seasons, Carolina revamped its staff this offseason with the hiring of Frank Reich along with defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero.
Then, in March, the Panthers sent star receiver DJ Moore and a litany of draft picks for the 2023 No. 1 spot, going on to select Alabama quarterback Bryce Young with the hope of filling the most important position in sports (for the next however many years).
Bob Donnan/USA TODAY Sports (left); Jim Dedmon/USA TODAY Sports (center); Griffin Zetterberg/USA TODAY Sports (right)
From a small-picture standpoint, the Panthers have a chance to be interesting this year despite being in the first season of a relaunch. The NFC South is the weakest of any division, with the Buccaneers now sans Tom Brady, the Falcons unsure of Desmond Ridder and the Saints hoping Dennis Allen and Derek Carr can prove a winning battery.
If Young and Reich mesh well from the jump, Carolina could be fighting to host a playoff game for the first time since 2015, when the Panthers went 15–1 and reached Super Bowl 50.
Biggest gamble this offseason: Taking Bryce Young
Nobody would argue with Young’s talent coming out of Alabama. He won Heisman Trophy honors while throwing for 8,200 yards, 79 touchdowns and 12 interceptions across his final two seasons with the Crimson Tide.
The questions are more about size. Young weighed in at 204 pounds at the combine, but many feel that number was inflated by about 15 pounds. He also checks in at 5'10", making him one of the shortest quarterbacks in modern NFL history.
If Young can withstand the rigors of NFL life, his ability should be enough to make the Panthers a tough out. He has talent around him in veteran receivers Adam Thielen, DJ Chark and Terrace Marshall Jr., along with running back Miles Sanders.
But if Young succumbs to injuries, many will wonder whether Carolina made a mistake by taking him instead of the larger C.J. Stroud out of Ohio State.
Toughest stretch of the season: Weeks 3 to 6
Carolina’s schedule is favorable considering it plays the woeful NFC South, and draws the easier AFC South, but the Panthers will be tested come late September into October.
After a pair of division games against the Falcons and Saints to begin the season, the Panthers will head cross-country to take on the Seahawks before coming back to Bank of America Stadium for a date with the Vikings. In Weeks 5 and 6, it’s a pair of road tilts against the Lions and Dolphins, two teams expected to fight for their respective division titles.
If Carolina can go 2–2 in that stretch, it’ll be well positioned.
Breakout player to watch: OT Ickey Ekwonu
After some early-season inconsistency, Ekwonu became one of the league’s best rookies over the course of 2022.
Bob Donnan/USA TODAY Sports
The hulking left tackle was the No. 6 pick for Carolina and started all 17 games. He’s now tasked with handling Young’s blindside. Last year Ekwonu earned praise from Pro Football Focus, being given a grade of 92.1 against the defensively loaded 49ers, the highest grade for any offensive tackle to that point in the campaign.
At 6'4" and 230 pounds, Ekwonu has the size and athleticism to be a top left tackle in the league for the next decade. Don’t be surprised if he pushes for his first Pro Bowl this year.
Position of strength: Secondary play
The Panthers will face some weak quarterbacks in the NFC South this year, and a strong secondary should take full advantage.
Carolina is well stocked with young talent, including 2021 first-round corner Jaycee Horn, alongside veteran Donte Jackson. The duo is one of the NFC’s best and is backed by an excellent safety tandem in free-agent addition Vonn Bell and fourth-year man Jeremy Chinn.
While none of the aforementioned quartet have ever reached the Pro Bowl, all are quality starters and should combine to give opponents a tough time through the air. Last year Carolina ranked sixth in yards after catch permitted and 12th in yards per completion.
Position of weakness: Pass rush
Carolina has one of the league’s most explosive pass rushers in Brian Burns, but who is going to be a complement to him?
Looking at the depth chart, it’s a tough answer to figure. This offseason, the Panthers signed Shy Tuttle to play on the interior, but he has just four sacks in as many years. Henry Anderson is another player up front who does little to reach the passer, notching zero sacks last year and only 11 across seven seasons. Yetur Gross-Matos is a 2020 second-round pick, but he’s been a disappointment as well with just 8.5 sacks in three campaigns.
X-factor: How ready is Young?
There’s no other question here. We’ve seen plenty of rookie quarterbacks struggle throughout their first years before becoming perennial Pro Bowlers. We’ve also seen men like Matt Ryan and Lamar Jackson lead their teams to the playoffs right away.
Young is surrounded by enough talent and quality coaches to make a run at the postseason, especially considering the division he’s playing in. If Carolina gets a decent year from Young and the defense plays well situationally, the Panthers have a chance to be over .500 and challenge for the NFC South crown, something they almost took with a worse roster last year.
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Sleeper/fantasy pick: TE Hayden Hurst
Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer/USA TODAY Network
Hurst, a one-time top-10 fantasy tight end, could become a nice security blanket for rookie quarterback Bryce Young. In an offense that lacks high-end playmakers among its receivers, Hurst could be a nice draft bargain at some point in the later rounds. —Michael Fabiano, SI Fantasy
Best bet: Bryce Young will go over 3500.5 passing yards
The Panthers’ run game will open things up for the young passer, who could often be playing in a negative game script. Chark, Thielen, Marshall and Jonathan Mingo have enough talent to help get this done. —Jennifer Piacenti, SI Betting
