Carolina Panthers

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette (hamstring) sat out offseason workouts last month due to hamstring issues, but the rookie first-round pick looks healthy in an Instagram video showing him working out. While this is not clear evidence that he's cleared and ready to go when training camp begins, it's a great sign for his potential availability. The No. 32 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft out of South Carolina has every opportunity to be a top-two option in the passing game for second-year quarterback Bryce Young. Legette has off-the-charts speed and athleticism at 220 pounds, but since he failed to reach 500 receiving yards in his first four collegiate seasons combined, he is a controversial prospect and fantasy football option. Unless Carolina takes a significant step forward on offense, Legette is likely to be a fringe fantasy-relevant wideout as a rookie.

The Charlotte Observer's Mike Kaye projects Carolina Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen to remain as the team's slot receiver in 2024 despite the addition of Diontae Johnson and rookie Xavier Legette. The 33-year-old Thielen managed to stay fantasy relevant in his first year in Carolina in 2023 despite rookie quarterback Bryce Young and the offense being one of the worst in the league. Thielen caught 103 of his 137 targets for 1,014 yards and four touchdowns in 17 starts. He should continue to be a safety blanket for Young this year, but the additions of both Johnson and Legette will inevitably take valuable targets away. Fantasy managers certainly shouldn't expect another 1,000-yard campaign for Thielen in 2024. You should be targeting Thielen as merely a late-round flier for receiver depth in deeper fantasy leagues.

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen said on The Rich Eisen Show that it's been an awesome offseason for the team, and second-year quarterback Bryce Young just looks "more comfortable." Thielen went on to explain that Young is just more immersed in the offense heading into his second season in the NFL and that the two have gained valuable chemistry on and off the field. It was a whirlwind for Young leading up to his first NFL campaign, which couldn't have gone much worse. The 22-year-old former Alabama product is already on his second head coach in two seasons, but there's nowhere for him to go but up in 2024. The Panthers added receiver Diontae Johnson to give Young some help in the passing game. Not many fantasy football managers are going to want anything to do with Young after what they saw in 2023, but he's not a bad low-end QB2 target in superflex leagues with upside.

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen quietly had a productive season in 2023, especially considering he was catching passes from a rookie quarterback in one of the worst offenses in the NFL. Thielen, who turns 34 before Week 1, racked up 103 receptions for 1,014 yards and four touchdowns in his first season with the organization. He accounted for 31% of the team's overall receiving yards. Although the team invested in wideout Diontae Johnson and Xavier Legette, Joe Person of the Athletic believes the veteran will remain a key contributor. "Thielen might not be counted on as much during his age-34 season, but he'll be a big part of the offense," Person wrote. Thielen is a three-time 1,000-yard receiver and has the most chemistry with Young, so he might be underrated based on his current price in drafts. On most platforms, he's being selected outside the top 70 wideouts.

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Diontae Johnson, who was acquired in an offseason trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers, is entering the final year of his contract and has every reason to make the most of his first season with second-year quarterback Bryce Young. If Johnson can strike up some chemistry with Young, the 27-year-old wideout could be in position to cash in on the open market next March. "It's crazy seeing everybody getting big contracts," Johnson said. "It just motivates me to keep working," Johnson said. The 2021 Pro Bowler wore out his welcome in Pittsburgh and will now be a part of an offense that was atrocious in Young's rookie season in 2023. Johnson had lots of volume with the Steelers but struggled for efficiency. In Carolina, that volume isn't guaranteed, lowering his fantasy floor as low-end WR3/high-end WR4.