We are back on the verge of another NFL season. Today we are going to look at the Carolina Panthers. They finished a disappointing 8-8 last year. Both sides of the ball had issues. The offense wasn't very explosive and the defense gave up some of the highest yardage totals in the league. First we'll take a look at the offense.
OFFENSE
Key Departures:
WR Kelvin Benjamin
RB Jonathan Stewart
Key Additions:
WR Jermaine Kearse
WR Marqise Lee
WR Christian Kirk (Rookie)
Last season the Panthers offense ranked 18th in the league for yardage and 20th in PPG with 22.4. But they were top 5 in rushing with 1,755 yards. Most of which came from rookie Leonard Fournette. Fournette finished with 1,191 yards and 13 TDS. But the teams passing attack wasn't explosive enough to back the defense away from the line of scrimmage and give Fournette even more space to work. The Panthers are hoping the additions of Jermaine Kearse, Marqise Lee, and the 1st round speedster, Christian Kirk can change that. Kirk is faster than any WR on the roster last season. Another guy the Panthers brought in, that you might want to keep an eye on is JJ Nelson. This guy might just be the fastest player in the NFL. I wouldn't be surprised if Nelson makes some big plays this year.
DEFENSE
Key Departures:
DE Kony Ealy
DE Charles Johnson
OLB Thomas Davis
Key Additions:
DE Jacquies Smith
DE Devin Taylor
DT Brandon Mebane
The Panthers defense was one of the leagues worst last year. Ranking 22nd in total yards and 25th in points allowed. The only good thing this defense did do, turnovers. They were 4th in takeaways, with 40. But if they couldn't turn the opponents over, they couldn't get off the field. Opponents would run the ball down this defenses throats. They gave up 1,698 rushing yards, which was 6 worst in the league. The Panthers are hoping their new additions on the defensive line will change their run D this year. The Panthers are hoping the addition of Brandon Mebane in the middle will plug some of the running lanes that were open last year. The Panthers also drafted the big (6'5, 297) man from NC, Nazair Jones. We expect Jones will see plenty of playing time this year. Especially on passing downs. He is a little quicker than Mebane and will probably play in the nickel and dime packages. Carolina is also hoping that their new DEs, Devin Taylor and Jacquies Smith can make QBs uncomfortable in the pocket this year. If this new D-Line can gel and get things done up front the back end of this defense will be scary good. The Panthers feel their LB and DB corps are some of the best in the league. But it all depends on the trenches.
All in all this roster should be better than last years 8-8 record. But the Panthers are in one of the toughest divisions in the NFL right now. We'll see if they can get past the division bullies (Atlanta and Tampa Bay). Which the Panthers went 0-4 against last year. If they can find a way to win some of those games and beat the teams they should beat, you'll see this team in the playoffs. But they couldn't get it done last year. This year? We'll see.
OFFENSE
Key Departures:
WR Kelvin Benjamin
RB Jonathan Stewart
Key Additions:
WR Jermaine Kearse
WR Marqise Lee
WR Christian Kirk (Rookie)
Last season the Panthers offense ranked 18th in the league for yardage and 20th in PPG with 22.4. But they were top 5 in rushing with 1,755 yards. Most of which came from rookie Leonard Fournette. Fournette finished with 1,191 yards and 13 TDS. But the teams passing attack wasn't explosive enough to back the defense away from the line of scrimmage and give Fournette even more space to work. The Panthers are hoping the additions of Jermaine Kearse, Marqise Lee, and the 1st round speedster, Christian Kirk can change that. Kirk is faster than any WR on the roster last season. Another guy the Panthers brought in, that you might want to keep an eye on is JJ Nelson. This guy might just be the fastest player in the NFL. I wouldn't be surprised if Nelson makes some big plays this year.
DEFENSE
Key Departures:
DE Kony Ealy
DE Charles Johnson
OLB Thomas Davis
Key Additions:
DE Jacquies Smith
DE Devin Taylor
DT Brandon Mebane
The Panthers defense was one of the leagues worst last year. Ranking 22nd in total yards and 25th in points allowed. The only good thing this defense did do, turnovers. They were 4th in takeaways, with 40. But if they couldn't turn the opponents over, they couldn't get off the field. Opponents would run the ball down this defenses throats. They gave up 1,698 rushing yards, which was 6 worst in the league. The Panthers are hoping their new additions on the defensive line will change their run D this year. The Panthers are hoping the addition of Brandon Mebane in the middle will plug some of the running lanes that were open last year. The Panthers also drafted the big (6'5, 297) man from NC, Nazair Jones. We expect Jones will see plenty of playing time this year. Especially on passing downs. He is a little quicker than Mebane and will probably play in the nickel and dime packages. Carolina is also hoping that their new DEs, Devin Taylor and Jacquies Smith can make QBs uncomfortable in the pocket this year. If this new D-Line can gel and get things done up front the back end of this defense will be scary good. The Panthers feel their LB and DB corps are some of the best in the league. But it all depends on the trenches.
All in all this roster should be better than last years 8-8 record. But the Panthers are in one of the toughest divisions in the NFL right now. We'll see if they can get past the division bullies (Atlanta and Tampa Bay). Which the Panthers went 0-4 against last year. If they can find a way to win some of those games and beat the teams they should beat, you'll see this team in the playoffs. But they couldn't get it done last year. This year? We'll see.