• Head Coach: Dave Canales (second season)
• PFF projected win total: 6.9
• 2024 Record: 5-12 (tied for third in the NFC South)

Biggest strength: Offensive Line

Carolina spent significant resources improving its offensive line last offseason, particularly on the interior with the additions of guards Damien Lewis and Robert Hunt. The result was a unit that ranked seventh in the NFL in PFF grade last season and gave Bryce Young a chance to succeed from the pocket. All of the key pieces are back, so this offensive line could improve even further with another year together.

Biggest weakness: Defensive Front

Carolina’s front seven was its biggest weakness last season and will be under the microscope heading into 2025. The defensive line should take a step forward with the additions of several veterans and rookies Princely Umanmielen, Nic Scourto and Cam’Ron Jackson, as well as the return of Derrick Brown. Linebacker remains the most pressing concern, with Christian Rozeboom and rookie Trevin Wallace currently projected as the starters.

Quarterback spotlight: Bryce Young

• 2024 PFF Grade: 74.4
• Key Stat: 86.1 passing grade from Weeks 9-18, sixth in the NFL

Young struggled in his first two games last season before being benched in favor of Andy Dalton. He reentered the starting lineup when Dalton was injured and caught fire down the stretch. From Week 9 through Week 18, Young ranked sixth in the NFL with an 86.1 passing grade and second with 24 big-time throws. He showed a newfound willingness to push the ball downfield and into tight windows, a trait that should serve him well as his receiving corps continues to improve.

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Offensive player: OT Taylor Moton

Moton has been a constant at right tackle for Carolina over the past seven years and played some of his best football in 2024. His 77.7 PFF grade was his highest since 2020, and he allowed just one sack for the third time in the past four seasons. Since 2018, Moton has earned an outstanding 84.9 pass-blocking grade and has allowed a hit or sack on just 0.6% of his pass-blocking snaps.

Defensive player: DI Derrick Brown

Aside from Bryce Young, Brown is arguably the most important player for Carolina this season. After ranking second in the NFL in run-defense grade in 2023, Brown suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 1 last year. As a result, the Panthers’ run defense was historically poor. His return to full strength is as crucial to Carolina’s defensive success as any of the offseason acquisitions.

Rookie to watch: WR Tetairoa McMillan

McMillan was arguably the best wide receiver prospect in this year’s class, and he should help Bryce Young continue to push the ball downfield. Over the past two college seasons, McMillan’s 98.6 receiving grade on throws of 10-plus yards led all FBS wideouts. His 6-foot-5 frame and contested-catch ability should bring a new dimension to Carolina’s passing game.

Fantasy spotlight: WR Tetairoa McMillan

McMillan is a prototypical X receiver and one of the best to come out of college in recent years. His 89.5 receiving grade is the fifth-best among Power Five receivers 6-foot-2 or taller in the past decade. The only receiver with more yards during that span is CeeDee Lamb. Selected eighth overall by the Carolina Panthers, McMillan could emerge as their top target earner as a rookie. He joins Dave Canales’ offense, where the X receiver has a history of producing double-digit touchdowns, including Mike Evans in Canales’ lone season with Tampa Bay and D.K. Metcalf twice in Seattle. McMillan is the safest rookie wideout option in both redraft and dynasty leagues.

Best bet: WR Tetairoa McMillan — over 800.5 receiving yards (-110)

McMillan projects as the perfect complement to Bryce Young’s deep-ball mentality. Over his final two seasons at Arizona, McMillan earned a 98.6 PFF receiving grade on throws targeted 10 or more yards downfield. The first-year receiver is in line for solid volume in his rookie campaign, fueling his PFF projection of 953 receiving yards for 2024.

Bottom line

Bryce Young’s development and improvement in the front seven are the two most important factors for Carolina’s success this season. If both materialize, the Panthers could become a sneaky contender in the NFC South.