Carolina Panthers

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen said that he will go through his normal process and evaluate whether he wants to continue his playing career this offseason. Thielen said he's leaning in a certain direction, "but I'm not going to tell you what that is." If the Panthers choose to do so, they can cut the 34-year-old with only a $5 million dead salary cap hit to get out of the final year of his deal. He missed time in 2024 due to a hamstring injury that landed him on Injured Reserve, but Thielen was productive when healthy as quarterback Bryce Young's favorite target, catching 48 passes on 62 targets for 615 yards and five touchdowns in 10 starts. Staying in Carolina is the likely outcome if Thielen chooses to play another season. His chemistry with Young would give him a solid fantasy floor as a flex, depending on what the rest of the WR room looks like in 2025.

Carolina Panthers running back Miles Sanders rushed for 66 yards on 17 carries during Sunday's Week 18 win over the Atlanta Falcons in overtime. He also caught three of his four targets for 50 yards through the air. Additionally, Sanders scored two touchdowns one on the ground and one through the air. The veteran running back delivered a major outing in his first game back from injured reserve, turning in his best fantasy performance (PPR) since Week 14 of the 2022 season. He remains under contract with the Panthers in 2025, making him an appealing fantasy handcuff behind Chuba Hubbard to open next season.

Carolina Panthers running back Mike Boone was a non-factor in Sunday's 44-38 overtime victory over the Atlanta Falcons in Week 18. Boone rushed for 18 yards on four carries while catching one pass for minus two yards. The Panthers activated Miles Sanders (ankle) off the injured reserve, and Boone took a clear backseat to Sanders in this one. He was out-touched by Sanders 17 to four in the contest. However, Boone did have the same number of rushing attempts as last week's starter, Raheem Blackshear. During the season, Boone had nine carries for 33 yards, which is not a recommended fantasy option for managers in 2025.