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Terrace Marshall Terrace Marshall In mix for No. 3 WR slot
Fri, May 6, 2022, 12:50 PM
Marshall and Rashard Higgins are both in the mix to claim the Panthers' No. 3 wide receiver job, Joseph Person of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Meanwhile, DJ Moore and Robbie Anderson continue to top the team's wideout depth chart. Marshall -- a 2021 second-rounder -- is coming off a rookie season in which he caught 17 passes (on 30 targets) for 138 yards in 13 games. Presumably past a foot issue that landed him on IR late last season -- he'll have to compete for slotting with Higgins (24/275/1 in 15 games with the Browns) , but if either Moore or Anderson miss time at any point this season, whoever slots in as the team's WR3 could yield a degree of fantasy utility, regardless of who the team's starting QB is at that time. |
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Andre Roberts Andre Roberts Signs one-year deal with Carolina
Tue, May 3, 2022, 12:02 PM
The Panthers signed Roberts to a one-year deal Monday, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
Analysis: Roberts has caught just 19 passes over the last five seasons, but he's a proven return man, which was a glaring need for Carolina this offseason. The veteran has six career return touchdowns, including a 101-yard kickoff return against the Broncos last season. |
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Sam Darnold Sam Darnold Has competition from Corral
Sun, May 1, 2022, 6:00 PM
Darnold remains the Panthers' starting quarterback for now, but rookie third-rounder Matt Corral could get an opportunity to play early in his career if Darnold struggles this season, ESPN's David Newton reports.
Analysis: Darnold has not performed up to expectations since entering the league as the second pick four years ago. Even with his change of scenery joining the Panthers last season, Darnold completed under 60 percent of his passes for just nine touchdowns versus 13 interceptions in 12 games. He also lost a pair of fumbles. Although Carolina opting not to trade for Baker Mayfield signals some patience with their quarterback situation, Darnold now has Corral to watch in his rear-view mirror as he approaches the upcoming campaign. |
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Sam Darnold Sam Darnold Still viewed as starter
Tue, Apr 19, 2022, 12:48 PM
Panthers offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo said he views Darnold as his starting quarterback, though McAdoo also added, "that is something I shouldn't have said," per David Newton of ESPN.com.
Analysis: The Panthers missed out on Deshaun Watson and Russell Wilson, but they could still make a move for Baker Mayfield or Jimmy Garoppolo, or else bring in an early draft pick to challenge Darnold. Ahead of the 2022 NFL Draft, it's only Darnold and P.J. Walker in the Carolina QB room for the start of the offseason program. Darnold has a guaranteed $18.9 million salary in 2022, the fifth and final year of his rookie contract. |
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Christian McCaffrey Christian McCaffrey Participating in offseason program
Mon, Apr 18, 2022, 2:30 PM
McCaffrey (ankle) is participating in offseason workouts.
Analysis: It's another hint McCaffrey didn't have too much trouble this offseason with any of the various injuries that impacted his 2021 campaign. He played only 10 games over the past two years, but he does seem to be in good health at the moment, and he averaged 112.1 total yards and 5.4 catches per game last season despite exiting early with injuries in two of his seven appearances. Apart from health, the biggest concern for McCaffrey is poor QB play, as the Panthers still are in the process of trying to upgrade on Sam Darnold. |
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Shi Smith Shi Smith Arrested on multiple charges
Sat, Mar 26, 2022, 2:01 PM
Smith was arrested Friday on handgun and drug possession charges in addition to speeding, NFL.com reports.
Analysis: Smith was reportedly stopped initially for going 31 miles per hour over the speed limit but is now facing three charges. He was released on bond, though what will come next for him remains to be seen. |
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Sam Darnold Sam Darnold In the lead for top QB job
Fri, Mar 25, 2022, 2:21 PM
GM Scott Fitterer noted Friday that Darnold is currently "in the lead" for the Panthers' starting QB job, ESPN's David Newton reports.
Analysis: That said, less than a month ago Fitterer suggested that the job was "open,'' but at this stage P.J. Walker is the only other signal-caller on Carolina's roster. With that in mind, Fitterer indicated that the team intends to "add a lot of competition to (the QB) room" while adding he still hopes that Darnold can take the opportunity and run with it. It remains be seen if the Panthers bring in a veteran to compete with Darnold, elect to use a premium draft pick on a young QB, or both, but in the wake of a flurry of movement involving several high-profile players at his position, Darnold, at least for now, remains atop a Carolina depth chart that has yet to be filled out. |
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Christian McCaffrey Christian McCaffrey Restructures deal with Carolina
Tue, Mar 22, 2022, 6:51 PM
McCaffrey (ankle) restructured his contract with the Panthers on Tuesday, opening up about $5.5 million in salary cap space for 2022, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: The Panthers wanted to free up some cap space to maintain their flexibility for the offseason, and McCaffrey was a natural candidate for restructure. The 25-year-old is coming off his second consecutive injury-riddled season, as he was limited to seven games in 2021 by hamstring and ankle injuries, and he totaled 99 carries for 442 yards and 37 receptions for 343 yards with two total touchdowns. |
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DJ Moore DJ Moore Inks three-year extension
Fri, Mar 18, 2022, 2:22 PM
Moore is signing a three-year extension with the Panthers, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: Previously scheduled to play out 2022 on a fifth-year option, Moore is now signed with the Panthers through 2025. He's finished between 1,157 and 1,193 receiving yards three straight seasons, with exactly four TDs each year, but his per-target efficiency took a nose-dive in 2021 (57.1 percent catch rate, 7.1 YPT) with the Panthers offense hitting a new low point. On the bright side, Moore's 163 targets last season were a career-high by 28, and he could break out in 2022 if similar volume is accompanied by better quarterback play. At the moment, however, it looks like the Panthers have missed out on all the top veteran QBs available, perhaps forcing them to settle for a mediocre veteran or a rookie in the upcoming NFL Draft. Regardless, Moore is the clear top option in the passing game, rivaled only (at times) by RB Christian McCaffrey. |
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Robbie Chosen Robby Anderson Restructures contract
Fri, Mar 18, 2022, 8:14 AM
Anderson agreed to restructure his contract with the Panthers on Friday, creating $5.9 million in cap space, Field Yates of ESPN reports.
Analysis: To do so, Carolina converted $11.8 million of Anderson's salary into a signing bonus. Anderson, who is heading into his age-29 season and is approaching the final year of his deal with the Panthers, is currently staring down a developing quarterback situation. With just Sam Darnold and P.J. Walker currently holding down the fort in Carolina's quarterback room, it seems all but certain that the team will explore more options for the 2022 season. |
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Rashard Higgins Rashard Higgins Joining Panthers
Wed, Mar 16, 2022, 2:29 PM
Higgins has agreed to a one-year deal with the Panthers, Jake Trotter of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Higgins is coming off a 2021 campaign in which he caught 24 passes (on 47 targets) for 275 yards and a TD in 15 games for the Browns. With the Panthers, the 27-year-old will look to secure the team's No. 3 wideout role behind D.J. Moore and Robby Anderson, a role that carries modest fantasy upside, but one (if he lands it) that offers Higgins an opportunity to step into a key role in the event of injuries to Carolina's top pass-catchers. |
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D'Onta Foreman D'Onta Foreman Joining Carolina
Tue, Mar 15, 2022, 5:41 PM
Foreman agreed to terms on a contract with the Panthers on Tuesday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: Foreman was a midseason signing of the Titans last fall as the team looked to fill the void left behind by Derrick Henry, who was lost for the rest of the regular season in Week 8 due to a broken bone in his foot. Foreman seized the opportunity, averaging 4.6 yards on his 137 carries while hauling in nine of 11 targets for 123 yards and scoring three touchdowns in 10 games (including Tennessee's divisional-round loss to the Bengals). With the Panthers, he'll clearly be behind Christian McCaffrey on the depth chart and likely competing with Chuba Hubbard for any backfield touches that remain. |
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Ian Thomas Ian Thomas Re-signs on three-year deal
Fri, Feb 25, 2022, 8:13 AM
Thomas agreed to terms with Carolina on a three-year contract Friday.
Analysis: Thomas was scheduled to hit free agency mid-March, but he will instead stick with the team that initially selected him back in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Though the 26-year-old was effectively invisible for fantasy purposes in 2021 -- he posted just 18 catches for 188 yards without a touchdown across 17 appearances -- he did solidify himself as a capable blocker. That said, positional teammate Tommy Tremble could well be the more interesting fantasy option next season. |
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Shi Smith Shi Smith Back from COVID list
Wed, Jan 12, 2022, 5:21 PM
Smith was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday.
Analysis: The wide receiver missed Sunday's season finale against the Buccaneers after being placed on the COVID list Thursday. Smith finished his rookie campaign with six catches for 104 yards while appearing in six games in 2021. |
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Alex Erickson Alex Erickson No touches in finale
Tue, Jan 11, 2022, 7:00 PM
Erickson was not targeted and fair caught both of the punts he fielded in Sunday's 41-17 loss to the Buccaneers.
Analysis: Erickson was hardly involved offensively this season, catching just three of four targets for 55 yards in 17 games. Where he made his biggest impact was on special teams, returning 23 punts for 204 yards and two kickoffs for 57 yards. While he was less of a factor overall with the Panthers than in his five years prior with the Bengals, Erickson is now slated to hit unrestricted free agency and see his value on the open market. |
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Ian Thomas Ian Thomas No looks in finale
Tue, Jan 11, 2022, 6:52 PM
Thomas was not targeted in Sunday's 41-17 loss to the Buccaneers.
Analysis: Thomas saw rookie Tommy Tremble return to the lineup and lead him in offensive snaps, contributing toward another quiet outing. Despite starting 13 of 17 games this season, Thomas managed just 18 catches on 30 targets for 188 yards and no touchdowns. The former fourth-round pick is now slated to enter unrestricted free agency this offseason, when he could offer depth to a team's options at tight end, with it unclear whether the Panthers will try to bring him back. |
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Brandon Zylstra Brandon Zylstra No yards Sunday
Mon, Jan 10, 2022, 7:34 PM
Zylstra didn't catch either of his two targets in Sunday's 41-17 loss to the Buccaneers. He also attempted an incomplete pass.
Analysis: Zylstra played just three snaps after returning from the reserve/COVID-19 list last week, but with Terrace Marshall (foot) sidelined Sunday, Zylstra reclaimed Carolina's third-wideout role, featuring for nearly 70 percent of the offensive plays. Despite his increased involvement, however, Zylstra didn't manage any yards on the day. As a result, he ends this season with 18 catches on 25 targets for 250 yards and a touchdown in 14 appearances. Even though they came within one of the league's worst passing attacks, those totals mark career bests for the 28-year-old. As an unrestricted free agent this offseason, it'll be interesting to see how much interest Zylstra now garners as a depth wideout and special teamer. |
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Tommy Tremble Tommy Tremble Finishes rookie season
Mon, Jan 10, 2022, 6:59 PM
Tremble caught two of five targets for seven yards and rushed once for four yards in Sunday's 41-17 loss to the Buccaneers.
Analysis: Tremble returned from the reserve/COVID-19 list and played five more offensive snaps than teammate Ian Thomas, who wasn't targeted. Despite garnering his most looks in a game this season, Tremble's production was as mild as usual. In 16 appearances, the third-rounder caught 20 of 35 targets for 180 yards and a touchdown, while also rushing three times for 11 yards and another score. With Thomas an unrestricted free agent this offseason, it's possible Tremble profiles as the Panthers' starting tight end in 2022, although they could always add to their options at the position. In any case, Tremble will strive to build on his rookie campaign with more volume in the passing game next term. |
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Spencer Brown Spencer Brown Remains with Carolina
Mon, Jan 10, 2022, 4:57 PM
Brown signed a reserve/future contract with the Panthers on Monday.
Analysis: Brown appeared in one game for Carolina in 2021 and spent the rest of the season on the practice squad. The rookie UDFA out of UAB will attempt to secure a roster spot in training camp for his second season. |
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Giovanni Ricci Giovanni Ricci Inks extension with Carolina
Mon, Jan 10, 2022, 4:53 PM
Ricci agreed to a one-year contract extension with the Panthers on Monday.
Analysis: Ricci played in 16 games for Carolina in 2021 and saw most of his action on special teams. The fullback should have a similar role for the Panthers in 2022, assumes he retains his roster spot in spring training. |
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