Last time, I released the first NFL season preview of 2023. It focused on the Arizona Cardinals, who I have finishing as the worst team in the league. You can find that here and also my full pre-training camp power rankings. Today, our focus is on the Carolina Panthers.
I have them ranked 31st on my power rankings.
How Was 2022?
When Baker Mayfield was announced as the team’s starting quarterback last season, I instantly knew it wouldn’t work out. Do you expect someone who hasn’t lived up to his potential to lead you to wins? Good luck.
The Panthers started 0-2 out the gate before getting their first win against the New Orleans Saints in Week Three. Then, the losses started coming and coming. After a 1-4 start, head coach Matt Rhule was fired. He didn’t even get to finish his third season of what was a seven-year contract.
If things couldn’t get any worse, Carolina would trade Christian McCaffrey away to San Francisco. Sure, they received some draft capital but trading someone of that caliber always hurts. After all, it’s hard to find a talented running back these days.
After Steve Wilks took over as interim head coach, the team entered Week Nine with a 2-7 record. Then, the team would alternate between wins and losses the rest of the year to finish 7-10. Sam Darnold would start the last six games at quarterback.
The Panthers finished in second place in the NFC South, but a win against the Buccaneers in Week 17 could have given them a shot to win the division and clinch a playoff spot.
D’Onta Foreman led the team in rushing, while wideout D.J. Moore paced the team in receiving.
Defensively, linebacker Shaq Thompson led the team in tackles, while Brian Burns had 12.5 sacks.
The Offseason
Obviously, Wilks wasn’t going to be the long-term head coach. Carolina made that official with the hiring of former Colts head coach Frank Reich. Unlike his predecessor, Reich led his team to two playoff appearances. Don’t forget about his time in Philadelphia as the offensive coordinator, helping the Eagles win the Super Bowl in 2017.
In free agency, they added some solid pieces. D.J. Chark and Adam Thielen replace the loss of D.J. Moore, who was traded to Chicago for the number one overall pick. Former Eagles running back Miles Sanders was also signed, along with tight end Hayden Hurst. On the defensive side of the ball, safety Vonn Bell was signed to help improve the defense.
D’Onta Foreman was not resigned, and the team’s leading rusher in 2022 left for Chicago.
The draft was the main focus with Carolina, with the major trade with the Chicago Bears involving D.J Moore and draft picks. With the first pick, they drafted their franchise quarterback in Bryce Young. Of course, the receiving corps needed some replenishment. So, they drafted Ole Miss wideout Jonathan Mingo.
Schedule Preview
Carolina opens the 2023 season against the Atlanta Falcons on the road. In fact, four of their first six games are away from home. This includes matchups against Seattle, Miami, and Detroit.
I can see them stealing a win in the opening week of the season. But, it’s very realistic to say the Panthers will lose five straight and start 1-5. The Saints got better, and their defense is always stingy. Seattle didn’t get worse, and there’s no way this defense can stop Justin Jefferson and the Vikings. The Lions are a toss-up, but I have them edging Carolina. Finally, the Dolphins are the Dolphins. As long as Tua Tagovailoa is playing, it’s an easy win for Miami.
After a bye in Week Seven, Young and the Panthers face off against second-overall pick C.J. Stroud and the Texans. I have the Panthers winning this one. In fact, the second half of the schedule isn’t as daunting. It includes matchups against teams like the Titans, the Buccaneers (x2), and the Packers.
A complete review of the schedule has me predicting them to go 6-11 this year.
In Review
I am impressed with Carolina. They did get better through the draft and free agency. After all, having the number one overall pick doesn’t ever hurt. Using it on a franchise quarterback is always a good decision.
The running game is automatically upgraded with the addition of Miles Sanders. I just don’t see how Thielen and Chark upgrade the receiving room. Thielen battled injuries last season, while Chark hasn’t looked the same since his days in Jacksonville.
I expect Jonathan Mingo to make some noise and eventually overtake one of these two guys as a starting wide receiver. Terrace Marshall Jr. was good last year, but not great. Mingo should be able to win the battle over him for the WR3 spot to start the year.
Hayden Hurst does provide another solid target for Bryce Young, and Ian Thomas isn’t that bad either.
The offensive line isn’t bad, but not great either. The growth of Ikem Ekwonu will be key to keeping Young upright. RT Taylor Moton remains one of the best right tackles in the league.
Defensively, Vonn Bell solidifies the strong safety spot. Xavier Woods is opposite of him, and Jeremy Chinn can fill in either there or at cornerback if needed.
Derrick Brown isn’t a big name at defensive tackle. In fact, he hasn’t really lived up to the number seven overall pick status from 2020. But, that’s from a statistical perspective. He’s constantly beating his blocks, and we hope that translates into the numbers this season.
The best group in this defense is the linebackers, led by Shaq Thompson. A tackling machine, he should once again pace the team in that category. Brian Burns is phenomenal and will get to the quarterback no matter the cost.
In the end, I don’t believe that Young will succeed out of the gate, which will lead to rough patches to start the year and beyond. Carolina has a bright future. This just isn’t the year to expect any major noise from them.
Thank you for reading! Make sure to visit Belly Up Sports every week and follow me on Twitter! My new podcast “Nate Ball” is coming out on Monday, July 17th, 2023. Be sure to look out for the first episode next week! We will cover everything in the NFL, so don’t miss out!
