Carolina Panthers DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette scored for the second time in his career during the 38-20 loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. He finished with four targets, three receptions, 23 yards, and one touchdown. The rookie's fantasy value has increased since Andy Dalton took over at QB and Adam Thielen (hamstring) went out with a hamstring injury. In that span, Legette has received 18 targets and turned them into 12 receptions for 139 yards and two touchdowns. Legette and the Panthers will have to go to the air often next week as they take on the Washington Commanders in Week 7.

Carolina Panthers tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders caught 5-of-7 targets for 49 yards in Sunday's loss to their division-rival Atlanta Falcons. It was the most productive outing of Sanders' young career thus far, and he's performed well in the stead of teammate Tommy Tremble (concussion). The rookie tight end's five targets in Week 5 were more than Tremble had racked up in any contest this season, and he might have made a case for a more prominent role even when the injured Tremble returns to the lineup. It's a case worth monitoring, though the future of this offense is murky. For now, Andy Dalton is the quarterback, but for how long has yet to be determined. The 21-year-old could be busy again in Week 7 when he lines up against a Washington Commanders squad that came into this Sunday averaging the most points in the NFL. However, he'll be tough to trust as a viable source of fantasy output, especially if Tremble is active.

Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard rushed 18 times for 91 yards in the team's 38-20 loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, adding 11 yards through the air and five receptions on eight targets. It was another effective day for Hubbard, while the only thing missing from his stat line was a trip to the end zone. It's the fourth-straight game for the 25-year-old with at least 92 yards on the ground and the fifth in a row with at least four receptions. Since Week 3, the Oklahoma State product's 82.8 PPR fantasy points are second only to Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry. Hubbard has a favorable Week 7 matchup against the Washington Commanders and can continue to be fired up as a strong RB2 while Carolina's backfield is his.

Carolina Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton completed 26-of-38 passes for 221 yards in Sunday's 38-20 loss to their division-rival Atlanta Falcons. He threw two touchdowns and two interceptions and rushed three times for 21 yards. It was another underwhelming performance for the Red Rifle, who has thrown at least one pick in his last three outings, leading Carolina to its third-straight loss. The more of a sample we see from him, the more that his 300-yard, three-touchdown performance in Week 3 looks like the anomaly. He'll have a chance to turn it around in a solid Week 7 road matchup against the Washington Commanders. Still, one has to wonder how much longer it is until we see second-year QB Bryce Young regain control of the offense.

Carolina Panthers rookie running back Jonathon Brooks (knee) said he thinks there's a chance he could open his 21-day practice window next week. Brooks acknowledged there's really no reason to rush back as much as he wants to play. The running game is currently in good hands with Chuba Hubbard. At the very least, Brooks should push Miles Sanders down the RB depth chart in Carolina, and he could force a timeshare with Hubbard in the backfield later on this season once he's up to speed. The 21-year-old is now 11 months removed from a torn ACL, so the Panthers will surely ease him back in, and he won't be a lock to make his NFL debut in Week 7 against the Washington Commanders, even if he resumes practicing next week. For now, Brooks is worth stashing in the majority of fantasy formats after being the first RB taken in this year's draft in April.