Carolina Panthers DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Despite NFL teams calling about quarterback Bryce Young, the No. 1 overall pick last year, the Carolina Panthers will keep him, according to a source. Teams were gauging if the Panthers were already ready to give up on the top pick from 2023, and the answer for now is no. The 23-year-old had a disastrous rookie campaign and was benched this year for veteran Andy Dalton after two poor showings to open his sophomore season. A thumb sprain for Dalton has opened the starting door back up for Young the last two weeks, and it seems likely he'll make a third straight start in Week 10 versus the New York Giants in Germany this Sunday after leading the team to their second win in Week 9 against the division-rival New Orleans Saints. Young still has lots of improvements to make and will be a low-end QB2 for fantasy managers in superflex leagues if he's starting in Europe.

Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales said he's very optimistic that rookie second-round running back Jonathon Brooks (knee) will be ready for Week 10 against the New York Giants in Germany. Canales said a "critical" decision will have to be made on Wednesday as to whether to officially activate Brooks. The 21-year-old rookie has had the start of his first NFL season delayed in 2024 as he recovers from a torn ACL in his right knee last November while playing at Texas. He was able to practice in full all three days last week and appears primed to be activated in order to make his NFL debut this Sunday in Europe. Brooks should be rostered in all fantasy leagues for his upside potential, but there's a very good chance he's eased in behind Chuba Hubbard and alongside Miles Sanders initially. His impending return has made Sanders a trade candidate.

Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle was productive in the 27-21 loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. The 26-year-old saw most of the running back work with Ezekiel Elliott (healthy scratch) missing the game due to disciplinary reasons. Dowdle rushed 12 times for 75 yards while also securing five receptions for 32 yards and a touchdown on an impressive grab in the endzone. Dowdle appears to remain set as the lead back in Dallas and is an RB2 moving forward.

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette recorded a rather pedestrian stat line in Week 9 with four receptions, 33 yards, one touchdown, and one drop in Sunday's 23-22 win over the New Orleans Saints. The 23-year-old also rushed for six yards on one rushing attempt. His drop resulted in a Saints interception, but his touchdown gave Carolina an early lead. Legette's 26-yard reception on 3rd and 10 set up Chuba Hubbard's game-winning run. While having yet to crack a 70-yard game, Legette has four touchdowns on the season and has scored in consecutive weeks with Bryce Young at quarterback. His fantasy value is still erratic, as you'd expect from a rookie in a dysfunctional situation. Still, Xavier Legette has undeniable traits and will look to extend his scoring streak in Germany against the New York Giants.

Carolina Panthers rookie tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders set a career-high in Week 9 with 87 receiving yards on four receptions against the New Orleans Saints. Sanders again received the bulk of offensive snaps as veteran tight end Tommy Tremble (back) was inactive, missing his third game in the last four weeks. In Week 8, the one game Tremble was active for in October, Sanders played just 36% of the snaps and recorded one reception for seven yards. While the rookie certainly offers waiver wire value, there remains concern that the coaching staff has preferred Tremble when healthy. Regardless, Sanders could have an opportunity further to cement himself against a weak Giants defense in Germany.