Coming off a hugely disappointing 2023 season, the Panthers are hoping for a turnaround under new head coach Dave Canales. If you like the analysis here, consider signing up for our free newsletter to get can’t-miss NFL news and insights straight to your inbox every week.
- 2023 finish: 2-15 (last in NFC South)
- Over/under: 5.5 wins
Notable additions
WR Diontae Johnson, WR David Moore, TE Jesper Horsted, OT Yosh, Nijman, G Robert Hunt, G Damien Lewis, G Jack Anderson, DL A’Shawn Robinson, OLB Jadeveon Clowney, OLB D.J. Wonnum, LB Josey Jewell, CB Dane Jackson, S Jordan Fuller, S Nick Scott, HC Dave Canales
Notable losses
WR DJ Chark Jr., WR Laviska Shenault Jr., TE Hayden Hurst, TE Giovanni Ricci, OT David Sharpe, G Gabe Jackson, G Justin McCray, DL DeShawn Williams, DL Chris Wormley, OLB Brian Burns, OLB Yeter Gross-Matos, OLB Marquis Haynes, LB Frankie Luvu, LB Kamu Grugier-Hill, LB Deion Jones, CB Donte Jackson, CB C.J. Henderson, CB Shaquill Griffin, S Jeremy Chinn, GM Scott Fitterer
2024 draft class
WR Xavier Legette (1.32), RB Jonathon Brooks (2.46), LB Trevin Wallace (3.72), TE Ja’Tavion Sanders (4.101), CB Chau Smith-Wade (5.157), DL Jaden Crumedy (6.200), LB Michael Barrett (7.240)
Projected starters
QB: Bryce Young
RB: Chuba Hubbard
WR: Diontae Johnson
WR: Adam Thielen
WR: Xavier Legette (R)
TE: Ja’Tavion Sanders (R)
LT: Ikem Ekwonu
LG: Damien Lewis
C: Austin Corbett
RG: Robert Hunt
RT: Taylor Moton
DL: Derrick Brown
DL: Shy Tuttle
OLB: Jadeveon Clowney
ILB: Shaq Thompson
ILB: Josey Jewell
OLB: D.J. Wonnum
CB: Jaycee Horn
S: Xavier Woods
S: Jordan Fuller
SCB: Chau Smith-Wade (R)
CB: Dane Jackson
2024 outlook
Writing off Bryce Young after just one season—and in a terrible situation for any quarterback—is not fair at all to last year’s No. 1 overall pick, and the objective for promoted general manager Dan Morgan this offseason was to make things much easier on Young than it was a season ago. Hiring Dave Canales was the first step based on the work he did rejuvenating the careers of Geno Smith and Baker Mayfield in back-to-back seasons, and the Panthers also bolstered the trenches with over $150 million spent on Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis to solidify the interior of the offensive line, and they’re hopeful about the blend of veteran signings and what appears to be a solid draft class can create a quick turnaround.
I would have personally taken Keon Coleman or Ladd McConkey over Xavier Legette at the end of Round 1, and there is already concern about the rookie—who had just one season of solid production at South Carolina—being unable to stay healthy with injuries suffered at OTAs and training camp. That said, Legette is someone we still liked with plus size and athleticism, and he can stretch the field while also doing some things with the ball in his hands to complement Diontae Johnson. Just how far along Jonathon Brooks (when he makes his debut coming off a torn ACL), Legette, and fourth-round steal Ja’Tavion Sanders come along will be a big factor in how much help Young has in 2024.
The approach on defense was more geared to free-agent hunting by signing A’Shawn Robinson, Jadeveon Clowney, D.J. Wonnum, Josey Jewell, Dane Jackson, Troy Hill, Jordan Fuller, and Nick Scott, so retained defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero will have more to work with despite key losses in Brian Burns, Frankie Luvu, and Donte Jackson. Also, rookies Trevin Wallace and Chau Smith-Wade were good values in the draft, and Derrick Brown was signed to a four-year extension to anchor it all together for a team that wants to have a more physical identity in the general manager’s image.
Position battle to watch: Slot cornerback
There are a few position battles to watch for the Panthers, but I’ll focus on the slot with veteran Troy Hill looking to hold off the aforementioned Chau Smith-Wade—who was a tremendous value in the fifth round. Despite not having prototypical size, Smith-Wade is a very willing tackler with outstanding strength at 184 pounds. I like him to eventually take hold of the starting job to give Carolina an encouraging trio if Jaycee Horn stays healthy and Dane Jackson thrives with a chance to be a full-time starter.
Breakout candidate: QB Bryce Young
Young was too good at Alabama to count out after a year of inept coaching at the NFL level, and he showed flashes of the quarterback that won the Heisman in 2021—displaying a quick release, plenty of arm talent, and clear poise despite the situation he was in under Frank Reich. He also didn’t really come close to the lows that other struggling rookie quarterbacks who became stars have had, and I’m betting on him to have a promising Year 2.
Circle on the calendar: Week 3 (@ LV) | Sunday, September 22 – 4:05 PM ET
Carolina will travel to New Orleans and host the Chargers in the first two weeks for winnable games, but the same is true in Week 3 for a trip to Las Vegas—which will be a major test for the offensive line with Maxx Crosby and Christian Wilkins leading a ferocious pass rush. This might also be the date where rookie runner Jonathon Brooks makes his debut, and Bryce Young should have more comfort in the scheme with a couple of games in the books.
Bottom line
I like how Carolina operated in their first offseason under Dan Morgan, but it’s frankly tough to feel confident about it being enough considering the damage done by former general manager Scott Fitterer. If the team success isn’t quite there, Bryce Young proving himself as the clear franchise quarterback would be a “win” for 2024.