Where do Frank Reich, Bryce Young and the Carolina Panthers begin in the NFL’s 2023 landscape?
Let’s take a look at where they sit across the pre-Week 1 power rankings:
Touchdown Wire
Author: Jarrett Bailey
Rank: 21
Take: “The Panthers are one of my biggest fallers after the preseason. Initially, they were my surprise pick to win the NFC South. However, after the soiling themselves throughout the preseason, it looks like there will be more growing pains than initially expected. Plus, their receivers don’t blow anyone away and the offensive line is a real question mark. Bryce Young can only get lawn darted so many times before he sustains an injury. The Panthers will be fun to keep an eye on, but I think this is a team to watch for in 2024 rather than 2023.”
USA TODAY
Author: Nate Davis
Rank: 27
Take: “They’ve got the first quarterback (Bryce Young) taken in the 2023 draft, but questions remain as to whether they can effectively protect him … or if they’ll have Pro Bowl OLB Brian Burns available as he angles for a new contract.”
NFL.com
Author: Eric Edholm
Rank: 25
Take: “There’s bubbling support for the Panthers as potential NFC South champs, and … sure, why not? Heck, they made a valiant run at it last season after firing their coach, shipping their star running back away in a trade and rolling with Sam Darnold and PJ Walker under center instead of the Week 1 QB, who was released in December. With No. 1 pick Bryce Young, a defense offering upside and new coach Frank Reich in place, one might argue their chances can’t be dismissed. That’s fair. But on cutdown day, Carolina jettisoned many players from the Matt Rhule regime, opting for youth at multiple spots. The excitement over Young is tangible, but this season’s goals are more about Young’s development, I suspect, than the Panthers’ final win percentage.”
Pro Football Talk
Author: Mike Florio
Rank: 25
Take: “How long will it take Bryce Young to adapt to the NFL game?”
CBS Sports
Author: Pete Prisco
Rank: 25
Take: “With Bryce Young in at quarterback, they will have to take some lumps. He’s good, but that line is a question mark and it seemed to impact him in the preseason.”
Yahoo Sports
Author: Frank Schwab
Rank: 25
Take: “Receiver Jonathan Mingo is going to be a draft steal for the Panthers. The early second-round pick has the size-speed combo to make an immediate impact. It wouldn’t surprise me if he leads the Panthers’ unimpressive receiver room by the end of his rookie season.”
