Carolina Panthers fantasy preview

Warren Sharp’s Strength of Schedule: Warren Sharp not only has the Panthers projected to face the NFL’s 2nd-easiest overall offensive schedule. Specifically has them facing the 3rd-softest pass-defense schedule and the 6th-softest run-defense schedule. In his 2019 Football Preview, Sharp disclosed that he personally aided the Panthers in their offseason game planning last year. His fingerprints were evident in their outrageous successes on both first and second down, throwing more often and more efficiently, despite Cam Newton playing half of the season with an injured throwing shoulder. Credit goes to OC Norv Turner for changing with the times and prioritizing the use of analytics.

Must Draft

Cam Newton’s 2019 NFL season will be the most productive season of his career. A highly informed coaching staff, a healthy team—Sharp had the Panthers as the 7th-most injured team in the NFL last year and Newton under went offseason surgery to repair his throwing shoulder, an improved throwing motion, and a better receiving corps set the table for Newton to be in the argument for overall QB1.

Both D.J. Moore and Curtis Samuel need to be drafted at their respective 5th/6th-round-turn and 8th Round ADPs. Per Evan Silva in the 2019 Football Preview, Moore posted a “league-high 7.9 yards after catch per reception” in Weeks 8-17. Curtis Samuel has looked like a true deep threat throughout the preseason.

Christian McCaffrey is being used in the smartest of ways, both through the air and on the ground. Given the Panthers’ offensive intelligence and delicious schedule, McCaffrey should be considered the unquestioned RB1 entering the season.

Good Values

N/A

Monitor

We should continue to monitor the usage of tight ends Greg Olsen and second-year pro Ian Thomas.

Avoid

N/A