Carolina

Panthers

“Thielen is probably the favorite to catch more balls than anybody among that group of receivers,” Gantt said on a recent Rotoworld Football Show , breaking down Carolina’s pass-catching pecking order. “He’s going to be set up to catch a bunch of short touchdown passes this year.” Panthers head coach Frank Reich and team owner David Tepper have said Thielen’s precise route running should mesh well with Bryce Young. Gant said to expect Carolina’s passing attack to include plenty of shorter and intermediate passes — a potential boon for whoever is playing from the slot. Thielen, whose stats dropped off in 2022, could be an interesting PPR option in deeper formats if he indeed leads the Panthers in targets and/or receptions.

Panthers beat writer Mike Kaye said last month that Marshall could be “on the cusp of a breakout campaign” in 2023. Reich appears to be just as confident in Marshall, as he mentioned Marshall’s growth last season with the more reps he received. A former second-round pick from the 2021 NFL Draft, Marshall caught just 17 passes for 138 yards in his rookie season but posted a solid 28-490-1 in 2022. While he’ll be in competition with veterans Adam Thielen and D.J. Chark for targets, it sounds like there’s a role to be had for Marshall if he takes advantage of his opportunities in training camp. Marshall is little more than a dart throw in half and full-PPR formats, but he has a chance to emerge as a deep flex play if he continues to develop this offseason.

From the Athletic’s Joseph Person, Reich didn’t drop many names when talking about the top performers in spring practices, so it shouldn’t be taken lightly that Mingo was one of the players he brought up. The No. 39 overall pick, Mingo (6'2/220) has a combination of size and speed that could be nightmare fuel for opposing corners. He went for 861 yards and five scores as a senior. Barring a surprise DeAndre Hopkins signing, Mingo looks like a good bet to take the field on three-receiver sets as a rookie. Person also noted that he “looked fluid running the short crossing routes that are expected to be a fixture in Reich’s offense.” With Adam Thielen showing signs of a decline in 2022 and D.J. Chark being a role-player, the door is open for Mingo to pace the Panthers in targets as a rookie.

Person noted that Frank Reich was hesitant to mention players who caught his eye during spring practices, but Blackshear was one of them. His rookie season aside, Miles Sanders has been one of the least efficient running backs as a pass-catcher in the league. Chuba Hubbard has gotten some run on pass downs in Carolina but didn’t come out of college with a notable receiving resume. That leaves the door open for Blackshear, who caught 123 passes in five seasons of college ball, to take on more work through the air. Blackshear isn’t on the fantasy radar yet but will be a name to look out for once training camp rolls around.

The former Colt and Saint appeared in seven games between the Chiefs and Texans last season. Heading into his age-28 campaign, Stallworth has made two starts across five NFL seasons. He is a pure depth signing, one who will be hard pressed to crack the 53-man roster.

Mingo will have to show something in training camp to break the season in the starting lineup as the Panthers have added DJ Chark and Adam Thielen to the receiver room and also still have Terrace Marshall and Laviska Shenault from last season’s corps. But the second-rounder has athleticism to spare and very well could open the season as one of Carolina’s main wideouts. He’s currently got an ADP in the 100s and we could see that number climb in training camp if he’s able to impress.

The team announced Horn would miss the remainder of OTAs with what is being called a “non-surgical injury to his left ankle and foot.” Horn reportedly injured himself while working out and is currently in a walking boot. Horn is expected to be fine for the start of training camp, but this will be an injury to monitor until then.

Young has received ample reps in OTAs, including several with the first team. However, Thursday’s practice marked the first time the No. 1 overall pick began the day with the first-team offense. When questioned about the decision, head coach Frank Reich said Young opening the day with the first team was “the next step.” The Panthers still have mandatory minicamp next week and won’t return to the practice field after that. Young appears to have usurped veteran Andy Dalton on the depth chart and is trending toward starting in Week 1 if he continues to impress.

It gives Hurst almost took months of runway to work up to full speed ahead of training camp. Coming off a 52-catch season, Hurst has some low-end TE2 juice in the Panthers’ rebuilding offense.

After a down rookie season in 2021, Marshall would post a 28-490-1 line in his second season while averaging 17.5 YPR. The former second-round pick is expected to compete for a starting role with rookie Jonathan Mingo this offseason. Still, Kaye believes Marshall will ultimately “out-snap and out-produce his rookie counterpart” this season. Under a new head coach in Frank Reich, and with Bryce Young now under center, Marshall could have some sneaky upside in fantasy. He’s currently going in the final rounds of fantasy football drafts.