Carolina Panthers DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

The Carolina Panthers showed plenty of progress once quarterback Bryce Young got back on the field in his sophomore year in 2024, and he said he's ready "to continue to build and grow" in 2025. It should help that he'll have the same offensive line, same set of receivers and the same coaching staff. It's the first time the Panthers have gone into a season with the same QB, coach and general manager since 2019, and the stability will be a good thing for Young. The 23-year-old former first overall pick looked like a different signal-caller when he returned as the starter in Week 8, completing 61.8% of his pass attempts for 2,104 yards, 15 touchdowns and six interceptions. He also had game-tying or game-winning drives in six of the final nine games. Young will be a QB2 with upside in fantasy, but he has the ability to take the next step in Year 3.

At the Annual League Meeting on Tuesday, Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales compared wide receiver Xavier Legette to Pittsburgh Steelers wideout DK Metcalf. The Panthers reportedly checked in on Metcalf before the Seahawks traded him to Pittsburgh, but Carolina's head coach touted one of his own when asked about him. "I think we got that guy," Canales said, "I think it's Xavier." The 24-year-old flashed in 2024 but was mostly underwhelming and struggled with drops (eight on 81 targets). However, Canales believes we could see big things from Legette with an entire offseason under his belt. He also noted the second-year wideout's work ethic. "You can't get him out of the building. He's there early and late...he's doing all the right things, and with the hard work, it will pay off." The South Carolina native has a bit to go before he's fantasy-relevant, but the vote of confidence from his head coach is encouraging. He sits favorably on the team's depth chart for now, but that could change later this month after the draft.

The Carolina Panthers are re-signing running back Raheem Blackshear to a one-year deal, according to NFL.com. After going unselected in the 2022 NFL Draft out of Virginia Tech, Blackshear spent the 2022 preseason with the Buffalo Bills before landing with the Panthers, where he has been ever since. In his three-year NFL career, the 26-year-old has totaled 52 carries for 203 yards and three touchdowns on the ground and 16 receptions for 138 yards through the air in 41 games. With Chuba Hubbard, Rico Dowdle, and potentially Jonathon Brooks (knee) in the Carolina backfield next season, it would be a surprise if Blackshear ends up on the fantasy football radar.

The Carolina Panthers are re-signing veteran free-agent wide receiver David Moore to a one-year deal, the team announced on X. Moore has previously been with Panthers head coach Dave Canales when both were with the Seattle Seahawks and Tampa Bay Buccaneers before joining forces once again in Carolina last season. A season ago, Moore caught 32 passes for 351 yards and three touchdowns in 17 games. Overall, the 30-year-old has 115 receptions for 1,608 yards and 17 scores in 72 games on his career resume. While he won't be a consistent fantasy producer, he's a familiar face for potential breakout quarterback Bryce Young and will continue to add depth to Carolina's offense.

Veteran wide receiver Adam Thielen will officially return for a 12th NFL season in 2025 after agreeing to a a revised contract with the Carolina Panthers, sources tell ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. Thielen will now look to add to his 8,311 yards and 64 touchdowns in his career. The 34-year-old veteran wideout briefly contemplated retirement after the 2024 season but isn't quite ready to hang up his cleats after catching 48 passes for 615 yards and five touchdowns in a career-low 10 starts last year. A hamstring injury cost him seven games, but he still managed to lead the team in receiving yards and touchdowns. Thielen had a strong 103-1,014-4 line in 17 starts in 2023 in his first year in Carolina and has developed a strong chemistry with young quarterback Bryce Young. He's definitely an injury risk in fantasy, but when healthy, he should have a decent target floor as a WR4/flex in weekly fantasy lineups.