2019 Record
A lot happened to the Carolina Panthers during its 25th season in the NFL. In Week 14, when the team was 5-7, head coach Ron Rivera was fired after nine seasons which may have had a harsh effect on the team. Interim coach Perry Fewell took over and watched the team go 0-4 which gave them an overall 5-11 record. The Panthers ended up finishing 4th in the NFC South.
Carolina Panthers Returning Starters
The Panthers have seven returning starters: 5 offensive, and 2 defensive players. While first-year head coach Matt Rhule has a decent amount of work cut out for himself, he does have a lot of young talent to work with this upcoming season
Key Additions
In the 2020 NFL Draft, Carolina used all seven of their picks on defensive players, making them the first team in the common draft era to do so.
Defensive tackle and top-10 pick, Derrick Brown just might be the most crucial rookie to be on the squad. If the history of the Panthers means anything, then Brown will be more than fine. Every single top-10 pick the team has made in the past 20 years has become an All-Pro.
Linebacker/defensive back Jeremy Chinn and cornerback Troy Pride Jr. are two other top names from the rooking class that could make a huge difference on the field for the team.
Carolina Panthers Season Outlook
Replacing the nine non-returning defensive players with ready and able bodies will be something that has to happen in order for the Panthers to do anything big. Coach Rhule will surely have to rely on his 2020 rookie class more than ever to get the job done.
With the former 2020 National Championship winning LSU offensive coordinator Joe Brady joining the NFL, it will be quite interesting to see what ideas he has up his sleeves. A winning record could be closer this season for Carolina with the new changes to the staff.
Win Total Pick
After last season’s harsh losing record, I think the Panthers have potential to be big and improve. A 10-6 record is how I see them ending the season. Now, they do have some tough match-ups and the COVID-19 pandemic adds to it all, but I think that using the right players they have on hand could do them some good.
Fantasy Player to Watch
With a four-year $64 million contract extension, running back Christian McCaffrey will easily be the no. 1 pick in most drafts this season which is more than well deserved.
McCaffrey finished the 2019 season with 1,387 rushing yards, 1,005 receiving yards, and 19 total touchdowns. He also had 116 receptions which put him above his own NFL record for most receptions by a running back.
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