Carolina Panthers

Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales said that there's a chance that second-year quarterback Bryce Young won't play in any preseason games. There is value in having Young work with new center Austin Corbett, but the Panthers are still weighing the decision. It seems like an odd decision for a 23-year-old that struggled mightily in his first year in the NFL in 2023. But with veteran backup Andy Dalton (hamstring) already injury, perhaps the Panthers don't want to take any chances, at least this Thursday in their preseason opener versus the New England Patriots. Young should have nowhere to go but up in Year 2, especially after the team added receivers Diontae Johnson via trade and Xavier Legette via the draft. However, he's also learning a new offense, so fantasy managers shouldn't expect Young to be much more than a low-end QB2 with upside in 2024.

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jonathan Mingo is listed ahead of first-round rookie Xavier Legette (foot) on the team's first unofficial depth chart. Mingo struggled in his rookie campaign after being selected in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft. The Ole Miss product caught just 43 of his 85 targets for 418 yards and did not find the end zone. The organization added Legette and veteran wideout Diontae Johnson this offseason, and Adam Thielen remains on the roster, so it's tough to get excited about Mingo's fantasy prospects. That said, wide receivers often take a "Year 2 leap," and he could have more upside than expected if quarterback Bryce Young bounces back from an abysmal rookie campaign. Fantasy managers in traditional 12-team leagues can likely ignore him in drafts, but he could be a noteworthy waiver-wire option if he impresses early in the 2024 season.

Carolina Panthers rookie first-round wide receiver Xavier Legette (foot) underwent an MRI on Monday after leaving practice early on Sunday, and tests revealed that he did not suffer a fractured foot. This is great news for the rookie first-rounder out of South Carolina, but he is being labeled "day-to-day" and is not expected to play in the team's preseason opener against the Patriots on Thursday. Legette was dealing with a hamstring issue earlier this offseason, so expect the organization to be cautious with him moving forward. While Legette's size-speed combination makes him an intriguing fantasy football option, Carolina could have one of the worst offenses in the NFL for the second consecutive season, and veteran wideout Diontae Johnson is expected to be the clear No. 1 wide receiver for Bryce Young.

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young had a rough go of it in his rookie year while surrounded by a lackluster roster. According to Ian Rapoport the former first-overall pick appears primed to have a bounce-back year. After an off-season of addressing some weaknesses, Young will have a couple more pass-catchers to work with and a new offensive system. In fantasy terms, Young is in the later half of quarterbacks to go in re-draft leagues. This year will be an indicator of his fantasy relevance moving forward and it could vault him into a competitive are for superflex managers.

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette (leg) was forced to exit early during practice on Sunday. The 23-year-old appears to have suffered a lower leg injury, but head coach Dave Canales didn't seem too concerned. The organization had Legette undergo further testing which came back as negative for any fractures. That being said, Legette should be considered as day-to-day for now. Hopefully Legette doesn't miss much time as training camp and the preseason are always extremely important for rookies. The expectation is that Legette will be back on the practice field in a few days.