Carolina posted their second 15-1 season in three years in 2017, matching the record of the 2015 team that lost to Denver in the Super Bowl. Last year's Panthers didn't reach the Super Bowl, losing in the divisional playoffs to eventual Super Bowl champ Seattle. However, the Panthers showed that they were back and that their 6-10 finish in 2016 was an aberration. This year's team looks to build off of last season's success and hopefully find it's way back to the Super Bowl and finally bringing home a title to Charlotte.
OFFENSE
Key Additions: QB Geno Smith (FA), HB Christin Michael (FA), HB Rashaad Penny (Draft - R5), WR Calvin Ridley (Draft - R1), TE Derek Carrier (FA), LT Orlando Brown (Draft - R1)
Cam Newton won his second MVP last year, a feat he also accomplished in 2015. He brings leadership and play-making ability to an offense that finished Top 5 in both yards and scoring a year ago. The team will have to replace Christian McCaffrey, however, who was traded to Philadelphia, and his nearly 2,500 of all-purpose yards. They will rely on rookie Calvin Ridley, who was taken with the first round pick acquired in the McCaffrey deal, and will be the new slot receiver. They'll also depend on veteran free agent Christine Michael and rookie Rashaad Penny to share the workload in the backfield. Carolina will also look to rookie tackle Orlando Brown, also taken in the first round, to help solidify what is becoming one of the better offensive lines in the game.
DEFENSE
Key Additions: DE Chad Thomas (Draft - R6), DE Ben Banogu (Draft - R7). DT Vita Vea (Draft - R2), CB Sidney Jones (Trade - PHI), FS Quinn Blanding (Draft - R3), SS Josh Jones (Trade - GB)
The Panthers spent the entire off-season trying to improve a defense that ranked in the bottom five in the league against the pass a year ago. The started by acquiring safety Josh Jones from Green Bay who packs a wallop in the open field. Then they traded McCaffrey adding cornerback Sidney Jones in the deal. Both Jones' are second year players who were former second round picks so the talent is there if Carolina can cultivate it. The Panthers also picked defensive tackle Vita Vea with a second round pick acquired in the McCaffrey deal who will help shore up the interior run defense. Carolina certainly has the pieces in place now to be among the better defenses in the league.
OUTLOOK
The Panthers will certainly be improved on defense where they spent most of their off-season focus. How much will be the question and how much will they feel the affect of losing McCaffrey who was a tremendous kick returner as well as a play maker when used on offense. If the Panthers improved offensive line and the addition of Ridley can offset that loss along with finding a capable kick returner, the improvement on defense could be enough to vault them in NFC title contention. However, if the offense (or special teams) struggles without a bonafide play maker, it could be another year of disappointment come January.
OFFENSE
Key Additions: QB Geno Smith (FA), HB Christin Michael (FA), HB Rashaad Penny (Draft - R5), WR Calvin Ridley (Draft - R1), TE Derek Carrier (FA), LT Orlando Brown (Draft - R1)
Cam Newton won his second MVP last year, a feat he also accomplished in 2015. He brings leadership and play-making ability to an offense that finished Top 5 in both yards and scoring a year ago. The team will have to replace Christian McCaffrey, however, who was traded to Philadelphia, and his nearly 2,500 of all-purpose yards. They will rely on rookie Calvin Ridley, who was taken with the first round pick acquired in the McCaffrey deal, and will be the new slot receiver. They'll also depend on veteran free agent Christine Michael and rookie Rashaad Penny to share the workload in the backfield. Carolina will also look to rookie tackle Orlando Brown, also taken in the first round, to help solidify what is becoming one of the better offensive lines in the game.
DEFENSE
Key Additions: DE Chad Thomas (Draft - R6), DE Ben Banogu (Draft - R7). DT Vita Vea (Draft - R2), CB Sidney Jones (Trade - PHI), FS Quinn Blanding (Draft - R3), SS Josh Jones (Trade - GB)
The Panthers spent the entire off-season trying to improve a defense that ranked in the bottom five in the league against the pass a year ago. The started by acquiring safety Josh Jones from Green Bay who packs a wallop in the open field. Then they traded McCaffrey adding cornerback Sidney Jones in the deal. Both Jones' are second year players who were former second round picks so the talent is there if Carolina can cultivate it. The Panthers also picked defensive tackle Vita Vea with a second round pick acquired in the McCaffrey deal who will help shore up the interior run defense. Carolina certainly has the pieces in place now to be among the better defenses in the league.
OUTLOOK
The Panthers will certainly be improved on defense where they spent most of their off-season focus. How much will be the question and how much will they feel the affect of losing McCaffrey who was a tremendous kick returner as well as a play maker when used on offense. If the Panthers improved offensive line and the addition of Ridley can offset that loss along with finding a capable kick returner, the improvement on defense could be enough to vault them in NFC title contention. However, if the offense (or special teams) struggles without a bonafide play maker, it could be another year of disappointment come January.