2023 Carolina Panthers Outlook

The 2023 NFL season is right around the corner and that means fantasy football drafts are underway. Before you assemble your championship dynasty, redraft, or high-stakes squad, FullTime Fantasy members will have an in-depth, player-by-player preview of all 32 teams from football legend Shawn Childs.

Also, check out Jody Smith’s NFL offensive line rankings and exclusive 2023 Strength of Schedule analysis.

Up next in our extensive NFL and fantasy football preview series is Shawn’s deep dive into the 2023 Carolina Panthers Outlook.

— Quarterback —

Bryce Young

Over his final two seasons at Alabama, Young completed 65.9% of his passes for 8,200 yards with 79 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He posted his best season in 2021 (4,782/50) while showing growth as a runner last year (49/185/4).

Young has a grip and rip-it feel after the snap, but sometimes he doesn’t throw a crisp ball. His throws do have more carry downfield than they appear after his release. Young played with top receiving talent at Alabama behind a winning offensive line. His completion windows will be smaller in the NFL, and his playground style when the pocket breaks down will lead to fewer big plays.

Fantasy Outlook: The structure of the Panthers’ receiving corps has a combination of veteran experience and some young developing options. Carolina will try to establish the run and let the progression of Young determine the number of passing attempts per game. I only see a newer version of Mac Jones in his rookie season with similar overall receiving options (NE has better tight ends, while CAR may have a higher ceiling at WR2, WR3, and WR4). My starting point is 4,000 combined yards with 22 to 26 touchdowns.

Matt Corral

Over his final two seasons at Mississippi, Corral completed 69.2% of his passes for 6,686 yards with 49 touchdowns and 19 interceptions. He gained 9.4 yards per pass attempt while also being active as a runner (112/506/4 and 152/614/11). Almost one-third of his rushing yards two years ago came in one game (30/195). Over his final nine full games in 2021, Corral failed to deliver more than two passing touchdowns in any matchup. In his meeting vs. Malik Willis (173 passing yards with no touchdowns and three interceptions plus 27/71/1 on the ground) on November 6th, he gained 333 combined yards with one touchdown.

Corral also took the snap out of the shotgun on most plays, but Mississippi ran play-action run/pass options to keep defenses on their heels. He showed the ability to stick quick passes on time on a tight line while doing some dirty work in the run game. Corral must improve his decision-making on his run plays to avoid taking big hits at the next level. His desire to fight for extra yards on the ground can be a win at the goal line. Corral offered touch when asked to drive the ball downfield in the passing game, but some passes had a high vertical, which may lead to more interceptions. 

I expect him to control the first 20 yards past the line of scrimmage while only using his legs when asked to move the chains. In addition, Corral will make his share of big passing plays in an offense with a top-tier run game. 

Fantasy Outlook: After missing his rookie season with a left foot injury that required surgery, Corral will start 2023 holding a clipboard as the Panthers’ QB3. 

Other Options: Andy Dalton

— Running Backs —

Over the first six games, Christian McCaffrey gained 670 combined yards with three touchdowns and 33 catches. Their other running backs held the fort after the McCaffrey trade, leading to 2,020 combined yards with 11 scores and 39 catches. Overall, the Panthers’ back set three-year highs in rushing attempts (435), rushing yards (2,013), and yards per carry (4.6). They averaged 24.94 FPPG in PPR formats.

Miles Sanders

It’s hard to imagine that Sanders didn’t score in 2021 when looking at Philly’s backs finishing with 16 touchdowns. He rushed for an impressive 5.5 yards per carry but only 6.1 yards per catch. Over the first six weeks, Sanders gained 391 yards with 18 catches on 75 touches (12.5 per game). He left Week 7 with an ankle injury that led to three more missed games. When Sanders returned to the lineup, the Eagles were much more active in the run game, leading to 446 combined yards with six catches on 73 touches. A broken hand in Week 16 ultimately ended his regular season. His stats projected over 17 games came to 1,292 combined yards with 37 catches. 

Last season, Sanders played at a similar level in the run game (259/1,269/11), but his stats looked much better due to him playing an entire year. The Eagles scored 32 rushing touchdowns, helping him set a career-best in scores (11). His biggest strike was the decline in his chance in the passing game (20/78 on 26 targets). Sanders rushed for more than 100 yards in three matchups (27/134/2, 21/143/2, and 17/144/2). Philadelphia gave him more than 20 carries in only two contests. His production lost value over the final four games (55/201 with two catches for minus seven yards). 

Fantasy Outlook: In the early draft season in the high-stake market, Sanders ranks 20th at running back, five spots lower than his finish in fantasy points (220.20) in 2022 in PPR formats. He has a 50-catch season on his resume, and Carolina ranked higher than the Eagles in running back production last year. If Sanders can stay healthy, I expect 275 touches with 1,300 combined yards, 10 touchdowns, and 40 catches. 

WHAT CAN WE EXPECT OUT OF THE PANTHERS IN 2023?

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