I think it’s safe to say at this point in Bryce Young’s
career that he has fallen short of expectations as the No.1 overall
draft pick in 2023. We’re all familiar with his rookie season
-- a season where, in a seven-game stretch between Weeks 12-18,
he tossed only two TDs. His play spiraled downward in the first
few weeks of 2024, leading to his three-game benching. He assumed
the starting position in Week 7 and proceeded to have the best
stretch of his short career. He tossed at least one TD in every
game the remainder of the season while also limiting his turnovers.
Young is now solidified as the starter heading into 2025, which
makes him worthy of a late-round flyer. His solid finish last
season was a great way to remind fantasy managers of his potential.
Much of Young’s continued development will depend on how fast
he connects with rookie wideout Tetairoa McMillian, as well as
the continued development of the ascending offensive line. Young
would best serve as a QB2 with some potential of a top-12 finish
any given week.
Fantasy managers keep underestimating Chuba Hubbard yet delivers
each year. This time last year, many expected rookie RB Jonathan
Brooks to be the eventual go-to RB in Carolina. But with Brooks’
slow start and subsequent reinjury, Hubbard grasped the starting
spot and never relinquished it. He finished as a surprising high-end
RB2, rewarding crafty fantasy managers who had the patience to
not hastily drop him after his slow start in 2024.
Hubbard signing an extension in the offseason and Brooks officially
out for 2025, solidifies Hubbard’s role as the bell cow.
Despite Hubbard having the most receptions of his career last
year (43), he isn’t considered much of a threat out of the
backfield. But he is what he is: a boring, run-of-the-mill RB2
who can win you your league. Do not forget about Chuba Hubbard.
Rico Dowdle arrives in Carolina after serving as the serviceable
lead back in Dallas last year rushing for over 1000 yards with
39 receptions and a respectable 4.6 yards per carry. But if Hubbard
remains healthy, Dowdle has little standalone value unless the
Panthers change to a more even split of their running back work.
Those in deeper leagues may feel inclined to take a flyer on Dowdle
on the off-chance Hubbard gets banged up. Even in those circumstances,
it’s best to not overdraft him. But keep your eye on Dowdle.
Rookie Tetairoa McMillan enters the league as Carolina’s
top target. The big-bodied receiver is expected to help in the
ongoing development of Bryce Young while continuing the big play
ability he displayed during his years at Arizona. McMillan leads
a thin wide receiver room, although it’s a nice mixture
of youth and experienced vets. If Young continues ascending and
McMillan has the kind of debut many are expecting, he could rival
the impact Brian Thomas Jr. had in Jacksonville last year. That’s
McMillan’s ceiling.
Of course, we should always be mindful of drafting a player at
his ceiling. His current ranking puts him as a WR3/Flex, a position
that fits his situation nicely. McMillan’s expected target
share should help lessen the volatility of his production week
after week. That high floor is golden for receivers drafted as
WR3s.
The Adam Thielen we remember from 2020 and 2021 when he had 24
receiving TDs is long gone. Even his 2023 version when he hauled
in a ridiculous 103 catches is nowhere to be found. Thielen’s
fantasy stardom days are over, but maybe the young receivers on
this team can glean knowledge from the veteran. Thielen’s
restructured contract implies that this is his last season in
Carolina, and the team may have interest in getting the young
players more involved. Entering draft season, however, Thielen
is viewed only as a depth piece. Some may even skip Thielen entirely
and take a flyer on fellow Panther receiver Xavier Legette several
rounds later. I, too, would take Legette in this scenario.
The tight end position is not heavily used in the passing game
in Carolina and can largely be ignored in most redraft leagues.
Tommy Tremble signed a new deal this off-season but also had back
surgery and may start the season on the PUP list. Ja’Tavion
Sanders has an opportunity to seize a starting role but checks
in as nothing more than a low-end TE2.
