2014 Record: 7-8-1. NFC South Champs!
2015 Non Division Opponents: AFC South, NFC East, Green Bay, & Seattle
2014 in review: The Panthers were 3-2-1 after six games. They then proceeded to lose their next six and sat at 3-8-1 with four games to play. They then ran the table to an improbable division title because the NFC South was a dumpster fire last season. Even better, they drew a third string quarterback in round one of the playoffs and actually made it to the Divisional Round before bowing out to the Seahawks.
2015 offseason: It was a quiet offseason in Carolina. They let Greg Hardy walk (expected) and lost DeAngelo Williams (not expected). Their main focus was on defense, bringing in Safety Kurt Coleman, Cornerbacks Charles Tillman & Teddy Williams, and Linebacker Jason Trusnik. All were signed to short term deals and may be for depth more than anything else.
2015 Draft: The Panthers had to make their picks count, as they only had five selections in the draft. They used their first pick on Linebacker Shaq Thompson. It’s their second round pick that is being thrust into service. Wide Receiver Devin Funchess, who had a serviceable career at the University of Michigan, is the new Panthers # 2 receiver after the injury to Kelvin Benjamin.
Player on the hot seat: Funchess. He’s listed as the # 2 receiver, but when the number 1 is Ted Ginn Jr., you’re in trouble. Funchess will be forced to carry the passing game, a task many believe he is not capable of. If the Panthers want any chance to compete, they need Funchess to step up. The other choices are not exciting. Ted Ginn, Brenton Bersin, Corey Brown, Jerricho Cotchery, or Jarrett Boykin. The Panthers receiving corp is in shambles.
Players you want on your fantasy team: The Benjamin injury really shakes them up. Jonathan Stewart is the lead back in Carolina, but he’s not worth writing home about. You’re a bigger gambler than me if you have faith in any of their wide receivers. Cam Newton is still Cam Newton, but he’s going to struggle in the passing game. It’s almost impossible not to. If he’s your QB you better hope for a lot of rushing touchdowns this year.
Season Prediction: I wasn’t high on the Panthers before the injury to Benjamin. Now it’s going to be a very long season. Officially, the pick is 7-9, but I’ll be shocked if their record is that good.