Sleepers on the Carolina Panthers

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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 deep sleepers, but we will be highlighting players our staff thinks will surprise this year and outperform 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.

Sleepers on the Carolina Panthers

• WR Jalen Coker - 3 votes
• WR Tetairoa McMillan - 3 votes
• RB Trevor Etienne - 2 votes
• WR Adam Thielen - 2 votes
• RB Rico Dowdle - 2 votes
• QB Bryce Young - 1 vote
• DT Derrick Brown - 1 vote
• DT Tershawn Wharton - 1 vote
• TE Ja'Tavion Sanders - 1 vote
• RB Chuba Hubbard - 1 vote

Reasons WR Jalen Coker Could Be a Sleeper

• Ben Cummins: He's a solid athlete who posted impressive jumps of a 42.5” vertical and 10'08” broad. It won't be a surprise to see him overtake Xavier Legette this year.
• Mauricio Gutierrez: In four games last season where he saw at least 6 targets, he averaged 15 fantasy points per game. He'll need to climb the depth chart to see that kind of volume.
• Craig Lakins: He proved to be an adept target earner last season with five games of at least five targets in a limited role. Can he overtake an aging Adam Thielen in the primary slot role?

Reasons WR Tetairoa McMillan Could Be a Sleeper

• Jason Wood: McMillan's ADP puts him in the low-end WR3 category, but he has the best shot of the rookie crop to be a top-20 option this year. His traits fit well with what Dave Canales wants to do with the passing game, and he should be in line for 8+ targets per game, at a minimum.
• Jeff Haseley: Several wide receivers could fit this category, but I believe the game plan will heavily involve their newfound #1 receiving weapon.
• David Zacharias: His elite contested catch ability, first-round draft capital, and OC Brad Idzik's scheme fit give the starting X-receiver a solid chance to exceed his WR3 ADP.

Reasons RB Trevor Etienne Could Be a Sleeper

• Jeff Bell: Etienne was the ninth running back selected, but lacks the buzz of players selected just before him. Despite Chuba Hubbard's strong 2024 season, the Panthers tried hard to establish a committee. Etienne can grab the passing-down role.
• Maurile Tremblay: Low-cost rookie with receiving juice; one Hubbard slip could let him seize meaningful touches.

Reasons WR Adam Thielen Could Be a Sleeper

• Julia Papworth: Sure, the team has invested in youth, and Thielen's time in the sun is just about set, but an ADP of WR65 wouldn't be too hard to beat. In the past nine seasons, Thielen has never finished that low.
• Jeff Blaylock: He keeps getting written off, yet he consistently outplays expectations. The most reliable receiver on this team shouldn't have 60+ wide receivers taken in front of him.

Reasons RB Rico Dowdle Could Be a Sleeper

• Andy Hicks: A 1000-yard rusher from the Cowboy last year, with four of his last six games being 100-yard performances. His salary shows he will be used.
• Colton Dodgson: A quiet 1,079 yards in 2023. His receiving ability and Chuba Hubbard's inefficiency as a pass catcher suggest to me that Dowdle's in for a meaningful role. 

Reason QB Bryce Young Could Be a Sleeper

• Hutchinson Brown: Played some excellent football in the back half, unlocked his rushing ability, he is ready for a breakout, and he's far outside the top-15 quarterbacks in ADP.

Reason DT Derrick Brown Could Be a Sleeper

• Kyle Bellefeuil: Brown is a rare defensive tackle who provides a solid weekly tackle floor, as seen by his 103 stops in 2023. If IDP drafters overlook Brown for missing just about all of last season (knee), he could be a value.

Reason DT Tershawn Wharton Could Be a Sleeper

• Tripp Brebner: When your $45 million free agent is a sleeper, you're probably not doing it right, but the Panthers desperately need interior pass rush. Wharton flashed as a reserve in Kansas City.

Reason TE Ja'Tavion Sanders  Could Be a Sleeper

• Phil Alexander: Tommy Tremble's late-May back surgery opens the door for Sanders, who played well as a rookie when given chances.

Reason RB Chuba Hubbard Could Be a Sleeper

• Meng Song: Hubbard finished as the RB13 in PPR PPG in 2024 but is currently being drafted in the fifth round. Rico Dowdle is not a concern.