We are proud to be among the first, if not the first, to publish full projections for the upcoming season, going live just days after the Super Bowl. Publishing detailed projections in early February comes with trade-offs, not the least of which is a near-total lack of clarity on how free agency, cap transactions, and the NFL draft will reshape rosters.
We've been updating our projections in near real time, including during the recent onslaught of free-agent transactions. This version will remain largely stable until we can layer in the April NFL draft, but stable projections don't mean settled debates.
We have a staff of sharp analysts with sharp takes of their own, so I thought it would be worthwhile to solicit their views on the key coin-toss situations that will shape each team's outlook in the coming months. These are important questions where reasonable, informed people can credibly land in very different places. I asked my colleagues to weigh in with one assumption: they were answering strictly through the lens of a standard 0.5-PPR redraft league.
Carolina Panthers Coin-Toss Questions
- Will Young Finally Be Fantasy Relevant?
- What Is Hubbard's Ceiling?
- Who Will Be the Panthers RB2?
- Has McMillan Reached His Ceiling?
- How High Should You Draft Coker?
Who is the Panthers RB2: Jonathon Brooks, Trevor Etienne, A.J. Dillon, or a yet-undrafted rookie?
Jeff Haseley: The RB2 situation is a bit of a crowded room, but I expect the primary backup to be Jonathon Brooks, assuming his health holds up. Etienne and Dillon are depth, but Brooks has the highest ceiling of the group. If I had to rank them, I'd go: 1. Hubbard, 2. Brooks, 3. Etienne, 4. Dillon. I can also see Dillon moving up the ranks if he shows well.
Andy Hicks: All of the rostered running backs behind Hubbard are huge risks. Brooks was drafted in 2024 and hasn't seen a snap since the Panthers tried to play him late in that season. The persistent knee injuries cost him the entire 2025 season. If he is healthy, he is the clear choice and may even get a shot at starting if Hubbard struggles again. Dillon also has had injury issues since leaving the Packers in 2023 — he is backup material only. Etienne struggled to make an impact last year when given an opportunity; more here would surprise. Ranked in order: Brooks, Dillon, and Etienne.
Maurile Tremblay: Jonathon Brooks, if healthy. Brooks is expected back for offseason work and will compete for touches behind Chuba Hubbard. Dillon is a short-yardage back, and Etienne offers depth and return help, so Brooks looks like the best bet for RB2 right now.