The following feature is a free preview of our content. If you like it, click here to sign up for access to our Footballguys Subscription, and you'll get all of our content. We're so confident you'll love it that we offer an industry-leading 30-day Money-Back Guarantee, ensuring zero risk.
RELATED: See More Like This here.
As we race toward August, Footballguys.com will examine one team per weekday with our quick-hitting Team Sleepers feature. These players might not be complete busts, but we will be highlighting players our staff thinks will disappoint this year and underperform their average draft position (ADP).
Go Deeper: See in-depth projections for every Panthers player here >>>
This is a weekday series that will stretch through August 1. If you like this and want another, come back the next workday. Another will be here.
Please note that our staff has identified the players listed below. The official Footballguys stance for every Panther can be found on our projections page.
Busts on the Carolina Panthers
- WR Adam Thielen - 5 votes
- RB Chuba Hubbard - 4 votes
- WR Tetairoa McMillan - 3 votes
- No One - 3 votes
- LB Christian Rozeboom - 1 vote
- S Tre'von Moehrig -1 vote
Reasons WR Adam Thielen Could Be a Bust
- Jeff Bell: We all love Thielen's story, but at age 35, reaching a WR65 ADP would be a disappointing outcome, considering the franchise's investments in young receivers.
- Jeff Haseley: With the addition of McMillan, Thielen's usage will likely drop off, making him a less attractive option for your starting lineup.
- Mauricio Gutierrez: Time catches up with nearly everyone. The addition of Tetairoa McMillan likely blocks any path to meaningful production this season.
- Phil Alexander: He should outperform his ADP, but not meaningfully. Likely to end the year as the Panthers' WR3. If that doesn't sound helpful, it's because it's not.
- David Zacharias: Thielen's role may be more as a young receiver mentor than a WR4 producer.
Reasons RB Chuba Hubbard Could Be a Bust
- Hutchinson Brown: I have a difficult time naming a bust on this team, but I guess it wouldn't shock me if Chuba Hubbard's 2024 season ends up looking like a bit of a fluke.
- Andy Hicks: Hubbard has previously been value. Rico Dowdle, Trevor Etienne, and even Jonathan Brooks add depth. The value disappears for Hubbard.
- Craig Lakins: He should still lead the backfield, but the acquisitions of Rico Dowdle and Trevor Etienne tell me he won't have the same workload he had in 2024.
- Colton Dodgson: A limited receiver. Rico Dowdle will take a larger piece of the backfield than Miles Sanders did. He'll need double-digit rushing touchdowns again to justify the cost.
Reasons WR Tetairoa McMillan Could Be a Bust
- Maurile Tremblay: ADP bakes in alpha volume that a rookie and middling pass offense may not supply.
- Jeff Blaylock: His draft capital has led drafters to reach for someone headed for some rookie-year growing pains. McMillan does not separate well from defenders who will not fear his speed.
- Meng Song: McMillan is being drafted as a WR2 ahead of guys like D.J. Moore, Xavier Worthy, and D.K. Metcalf. No, thank you.
Reasons No One Could Be a Bust
- Jason Wood: No Panther is priced to perfection, as Bryce Young is being drafted outside the Top 20, the receivers are all going well below their ceilings, and Chuba Hubbard is coming off the board a round or two below last year's baseline.
- Julia Papworth: It's bargain basement shopping for fantasy managers in Carolina, and I love a sale.
Reasons LB Christian Rozeboom Could Be a Bust
- Kyle Bellefeuil: Rozeboom is coming off a career year, having played 800+ snaps for the Rams' defense last season, but will face competition from 2024 third-round pick Trevin Wallace for the LB2 spot in Carolina.
Reasons S Tre'von Moehrig Could Be a Bust
- Tripp Brebner: The former Raider enjoyed a breakout season in his contract year; however, Carolina's conservative approach will too often keep him deep and away from the action to pile up fantasy points.
_(1000_x_500_px)_png)