Projections (9/02/03)

Passing Stats

Rush Stats

Receiving Stats

Fantasy

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Totals

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Quarterbacks
Starter - Jake Delhomme
Backups - Rodney Peete, Chris Weinke

Starting Quarterback: While Delhomme is listed as the starter at this time, it is still completely up in the air whether he or veteran Rodney Peete will start the season as the starting signal-caller. It seems QBBC is running wild in the NFL this year with many unstable situations that could flip-flop many times throughout the season. Delhomme impressed during his limited playing time last season but only threw ten passes last year which really isn't a good display of his overall ability one way or the other. He has played for four seasons and only has 86 pass attempts to show for it. There is little reason to draft Delhomme unless you are looking for a quarterback with upside very late in the draft.

Backup Quarterback(s): Peete is listed as the backup but the Panthers coaching staff believe they can win now and that may mean Rodney Peete under the center starting in week one. He isn't flashy and is almost useless in terms of fantasy production but he led the team well last year and may be given the chance to do so again. Chris Weinke is in a fight with Randy Fasini for the 3rd quarterback position. Little to no fantasy potential for either of those guys though.

Update - 8/28: Peete has emerged as the odds on favorite to open the season as the starter. Weinke has easily beaten Fasani (who nixed a trade the Jets and retired instead) and is actually making a push for the starting job. He is still a longshot though and is still listed as the #3 QB behind Peete and Delhomme.

Running Backs
Starter - Stephen Davis
Backups - Dee Brown, Skip Hicks, DeShaun Foster
Fullback - Brad Hoover

Starting Running Back: Davis is the big, power back HC John Fox coveted. Carolina had a strong defense last year, but as much as they tried, couldn't develop a power running game. They finished 31st in yards per carry, but Panther's running backs carried the ball 400 times. Expect that number to increase, as Davis should make the unit much more productive. Perhaps more importantly, Davis will get a very large percentage of those carries, and will compete for the league lead in carries. Davis has twice led the league in rushing yards (1999, 2001) and led the league in carries two seasons ago with 356. The Panthers showed their commitment to the run by drafting the top lineman in the draft OT Jonathon Gross. Davis had a down year in 2002, most likely because he was a bad fit for Spurrier's offense in Washington, and the Redskins offensive line was very weak up the middle. If Davis isn't washed up, he should bounce back in a huge way this year. Just remember, he's now twenty-nine, and his fantasy points have dropped off the table moving from 254 (1999) to 229 to 192 to 144 last season.

Backup Running Back(s): DeShaun Foster was a 2nd round pick out of UCLA last year, but quickly saw his NFL future dim after a knee injury in preseason. Later he had microfracture surgery on the knee, often the death knell on a player's career. Foster, 23, has responded well to the treatment, and his youth should certainly help his chances of a full recovery. Explosive in college, Foster would add a nice change of pace to the Panthers running game if healthy. If not, Skip Hicks will once again be the primary backup to Stephen Davis, a job he performed in Washington for a few years. Hicks has been a strong touchdown producer, but is nothing more than an average runner. Dee Brown, a sixth round pick out of Syracuse in 2001, was mediocre in limited action last year. He did have a 122 yard rushing game against Cleveland last year, and has solid hands.

Fullback(s): Hoover is a natural running back, but he has morphed himself into his new role at fullback. He had added about twenty pounds to his frame since college, and the once power back has found a niche in the NFL at fullback. While far from special at halfback, Hoover's a solid runner from the fullback position, and can also catch the ball out of the backfield. The Panthers don't have great receivers at RB, WR or TE, so Hoover may be used to catch the ball out of the backfield. Stephen Davis has run well out of a single-back set, but Hoover has developed solid blocking skills. He laid a devastating hit on Ray Lewis in the season opener last year.

Update - 8/28: Foster has made an excellent return from his knee injury and is slated to see preseason action in the Panthers / Steelers contest on Friday. Skip Hicks has been released.

Wide Receivers
Starters - Muhsin Muhammad, Steve Smith
Backups - Ricky Proehl, Karl Hankton

Starting Receiver(s):Muhsin Muhammad returns for his eighth season and once again will be the top receiving threat for the Panthers. There is no question that Muhammad has the talent to be an elite receiver (witness his 1999-2000 seasons) but his ability has been hampered by a string of injuries in recent years. Certainly the team's uncertain QB situation hasn't helped, but it's difficult to believe that Muhammad will return to his Pro Bowl level given that we're two years removed. In any event, he's sure handed and when healthy will give whoever is under center a consistent target.

By virtue of a season ending injury to free agent addition Kevin Dyson, Steve Smith will return to the starting lineup alongside Muhammad. What Smith lacks in stature (5'9", 179 lbs.) he makes up for in game breaking speed. Despite starting just 13 games, Smith was one of the league leaders in catches of greater than 25 yards. Look for Smith to continue to be the deep threat, in addition to being a dynamic return man. Don't count on either receiver being a fantasy stud, but certainly either is worth a roster spot in deeper leagues.

Backup Receiver(s): In the era of NFL parity, it's particularly difficult for rebuilding teams to build depth, and such is the case with Carolina's receiving corps. Beyond the starters, the Panthers will field Ricky Proehl, a 35-year old veteran signed away from St. Louis and Karl Hankton, a fifth year receiver who enjoyed a career high nine receptions last season. Don't be surprised if the Panthers go out and sign another receiver, but obviously options are limited at this juncture.

Update - 8/28: The team signed Terrence Wilkins to add depth to the receiving corps following the loss of Kevin Dyson to injury (who has been placed on the PUP list). But Wilkins has made little if any impression this preseason, amassing only one catch for 1 yard. Don't expect Wilkins to be a contributor for the Panthers this year. On a more positive note, the Panthers have to be pleased with the play of the rookie tandem of Eugene Baker and Walter Young. Baker and Young are tied for second on the team with six receptions, and they have been the subjects of praise from the coaching staff. Young is especially intriguing, as he is averaging more than 16 yards per reception this preseason. Steve Smith was sidelined by a pulled hamstring for the majority of training camp, but returned to practice in time to play in the third preseason game against Green Bay. Smith showed no lingering effects and was effective in limited playing time (3 catches for 38 yards).

Tight Ends
Starter - Kris Mangum
Backup(s) - Mike Seidman
Gone (for now) is Pro Bowl tight end Wesley Walls. He was released in the off-season. Walls still may return in 2003, but retirement is also an option. The Panthers will keep things conservative this year and play lots of two tight end sets. Veteran Kris Mangum will likely see the bulk of tight end passing targets early on, but it won't be enough to wow anyone. Mangum represents sleeper potential and may be worthy of a free agent pickup if he produces early on in the season. This situation warrants scrutiny in the preseason.

Update - 8/28: It appears Mangum will open the season as the starting TE (like it really matters fantasy-wise). Backup TE Keith Henrich was recently cut.

Place Kicker
John Kasay, Shayne Graham: Health has been an issue for John Kasay three of the past four seasons. If Kasay needs to call it quits the Panthers will turn to Shayne Graham. The Panthers probably won't make a decision until later in the preseason. Until they do, avoid the Carolina kickers. Even after they make a choice, you still might want to avoid the Carolina kicker.

Update - 8/28: After the first 3 preseason games the kicking question is still undecided. Kasay has a slight edge, but his salary cap figure could be the deciding factor that causes the Panthers to go with Graham.

Offensive Line
C-Jeff Mitchell; G-Jeff Brzezinski; G-Kevin Donnalley; T-Todd Steussie; T-Jordan Gross
There is a lot of experience on this line but it didn't add up to success in 2002. There will likely be two new starters this season, one of them being first round pick, Jordan Gross who is big, athletic and should make a difference if he can pick up his assignments quickly. Steussie is a solid all-around tackle; Donnalley is getting older but still has a mean streak in him and Mitchell is a rock in the center for the team. If this group can mesh together they will be solid.