In 2015 the Panthers will look to make the playoffs for a third straight season (Getty).
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Last season was a topsy-turvy one for Ron Rivera’s Panthers. After an awkward tie with Cincinnati the Panthers lost six straight games, but came back to win four straight and sneak into the playoffs. Carolina had the muscle to overwhelm an ailing Cardinals team, but was overmatched in the Divisional round and fell to Seattle 31-17.
To take another step forward, Carolina has added speed on both sides of the ball. Ted Ginn Jr. will provide a vertical threat for Cam Newton, and will also contribute in the return game. Former Bears corner Peanut Tillman joins an already elite defense, and shifty rookie Shaq Thompson will round out one of the league’s best linebacker corps.
Carolina features plenty of fantasy talent, with multiple players capable of putting up big numbers. The key to Carolina, however, is the strength of Cam Newton. When Newton is injured, the offense grinds to a halt, which puts added pressure on the defense. The way Newton plays it’s always possible he could be injured, meaning Carolina’s fantasy value hangs by a thin thread.
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Here’s the best picks from the Panthers:
1: Cam Newton, QB
In 2014, Cam recovered from offseason ankle surgery to start 14 games (Getty).
Based solely on physical attributes, Cam Newton is the best quarterback in football. He can stand in the pocket, has a rocket arm and is near impossible to tackle alone. Newton didn’t post his best on-field numbers in 2014, but made strides in his maturity and ability to lead the Panthers offense.
Newton was nursing leg injuries throughout last season, hampering his mobility and ultimately forcing him to miss Week 15 against the Bucs. A Cam that can run is worth taking among the top five quarterbacks, and the Panthers have a favorable schedule in 2015. Newton was an average fantasy QB last season, but those numbers should pick up if he stays healthy this year.
2: Kelvin Benjamin, WR
Benjamin was one of the highly touted rookie receivers heading into 2014. While he was outperformed by some of his classmates, Benjamin made sure fantasy fans knew he was an option worth keeping. Benjamin led the Panthers in targets and hauled in a team-high nine touchdowns, despite dealing with lower body injuries throughout the season.
Oh, and that’s Earl Thomas and Richard Sherman KB is beating in the Vine above.
The only cause for concern with Benjamin is his effort and dedication. Benjamin reportedly showed up to camp overweight, which Ron Rivera hinted may have contributed to his nagging injuries. If anyone is likely to suffer from a sophomore slump, Benjamin is a prime candidate. Still, he’s going to be drafted as high as the fifth round in all leagues.
3: Greg Olsen, TE
Greg Olsen is the veteran leader of the Panthers offense (Getty).
Heading into his fifth season in Carolina, Olsen has cemented himself as one of the league’s best every down tight ends. He’s also a proven fantasy starter, finishing fourth in ESPN leagues in scoring among TEs behind Gronk, Jimmy Graham and Antonio Gates. Many fantasy players don’t put Olsen on the same level as those guys, but the numbers say otherwise.
Olsen was targeted a team-high 123 times last season, more than both Mike Evans and Brandon Marshall. He caught 84 of those targets for 1,008 yards, both career highs. Olsen also hasn’t missed a game in three seasons. Olsen is worth a high pick, and he could be a starter on a championship fantasy team.
4: Jonathan Stewart, RB
Expectations are high for Stewart, who will get the bulk of carries for the first time in his career (Getty).
The wait is over for Jonathan Stewart. After seven years stuck behind Deangelo Williams on the depth chart, Stewart is the last man standing in the Panther’s backfield. We’ve seen plenty of Stewart before, but Stewarts only had 20+ carries three times since 2011. With a full workload for the first time Stewart has a real shot to eclipse 1,000 rushing yards, something he hasn’t done since 2009.
Stewart is now past sleeper status and will be a tough running back to grab. He’s escaped the Committee System, and owners are salivating at the potential of another workhorse running back. With the rarity of such types of rushers and a favorable schedule, Stewart is worth a pick in the sixth round or higher.
5: Panthers D/ST
Charles Johnson is the heart of the Panthers pass rush, which struggled in 2014 (Getty).
Carolina can be a frustrating start for fantasy owners. What was a dominating defense in 2013 took a small step back last year, despite not losing many of it’s successful components. Kuechly and Davis are two of the game’s best linebackers, but losing Greg Hardy to off the field issues impacted Carolina’s pass rush. Carolina went from 59 sacks in to 40 in 2014, and they surrendered more than 30 points six times during the regular season.
To help the back end, Carolina signed experienced corners Tillman and Chris Houston in free agency. Last year Carolina had the tenth-most takeaways, which included 12 fumble recoveries. They might have some bad weeks, but have a nice schedule lined up and should have productive games.
Carolina DST was a fantasy letdown in 2014, leading to them possibly flying under the radar in your draft this season.