The Carolina Panthers have been one of the weakest teams in the NFL for the past several seasons. Since last making the postseason in the 2017 season, the Panthers have had seven straight losing seasons including a 2-15 mark in 2023. There is however much to be cautiously optimistic about heading into the future as head coach Dave Canales seems to know what he is doing, especially with regards to quarterback development. Quarterback Bryce Young finally started to show flashes of a number 1 overall pick in the 2024 season as well. Although Carolina finished 5-12 in the 2024 season, their performances against top-flight competition along with their divisional performances was indeed a very bright spot for the team. Narrowly losing to Super Bowl finalists Kansas City and Philadelphia by one possession each. Beating the Saints and Falcons once each and losing in overtime to the Buccaneers on a third occasion. Although Bryce Young finished the season being ranked 31st out of 44 in terms of passer rating among qualified quarterbacks. Young finished the season being graded (17/44) in terms of passing grade according to Pro Football Focus. Which was a higher mark than that of Trevor Lawrence, Russell Wilson, Matthew Stafford, Bo Nix, and Tua Tagovailoa. This was also with Young still being in only his 2nd NFL season and taking a while for him to catch his full stride with new head coach Dave Canales after being benched early in the season. Young also had the third most rushing touchdowns of any quarterback and finished top 10 in rushing yards per attempt among quarterbacks as well. Young’s development going forward will be key for the franchise but it seems as if Carolina is comfortable with him as the future of the organization. Going into next season and beyond the Carolina Panthers will be a perennial threat to win the NFC South with Bryce Young and Dave Canales.
On the offensive side of the ball the Carolina Panthers struggled in the 2024 season with uncertainty at quarterback as the team actually benched Bryce Young in the midst of the season. The team’s offensive personnel was respectable but still among the weaker personnel groupings in professional football relatively speaking. Head coach Dave Canales was still in his first full season as a head coach in the NFL as well. The team’s offensive rankings can be found below.
Carolina Panthers Offensive Ranks for 2024 Season
Points Per Game – 23rd
Yards Per Game – 29th
Offense Grade According to Pro Football Focus – 22nd
The Panthers overall prowess on the offensive side of the ball was indeed very mediocre by any stretch of the imagination in the 2024 season. As stated previously, the youth and inexperience of quarterback Bryce Young and head coach Dave Canales obviously contributed to this. However, the team’s personnel on the offensive side of the ball also left much to be desired as well. I have conducted an analysis of each unit of the team’s personnel grouping which can be found below. I have included each player’s respective offense grade that they were given by Pro Football Focus during the 2024 season. I have also included a subjective grade that I have assigned them which indicates how strong of players they are in totality outside of just the 2024 campaign based upon yearly statistical output and yearly subjective grades that were assigned to them by Pro Football Focus.
Carolina Panthers Key Offensive Lineman
LT – Ikem Ekwonu – (37/87) offense grade in 2024 over 909 snaps, C+ to B-, 2022 first round pick
LG – Damien Lewis – (14/83) offense grade in 2024 over 942 snaps, B,
C – Austin Corbett – (28/43) offense grade in 2024 over 291 snaps, B-, free agent
RG – Robert Jones – (25/83) offense grade in 2024 over 966 snaps, B+ to A-
RT – Taylor Moton – (21/87) offense grade in 2024 over 846 snaps, B+
Carolina Panthers Key Offensive Line Reserves
C – Brady Christensen – (24/43) offense grade in 2024 over 399 snaps, C to C+, free agent
C – Cade Mays – (17/44) offense grade in 2024 over 495 snaps, B to B+, free agent
G – Chandler Zavala – (20/83) offense grade in 2024 over 198 snaps, C+ to B- in limited snaps
T – Yosh Nijman – (95/141) offense grade in 2024 over 187 snaps, C
Carolina Panthers Key Offensive Line Rankings
Pass Blocking Grade According to Pro Football Focus – 15th
Run Blocking Grade According to Pro Football – 8th
Sacks Allowed – 11th
Pass Blocking Efficiency – 12th
As you can see from the three sets of data above the Panthers offensive line was above average in every regard this past season. Only 1 starter on the offensive line is a free agent entering this offseason in Austin Corbett who is arguably the weakest starting player on the Carolina offensive front. The Panthers offensive line is good to very good but is certainly not great and if Carolina wants their offensive line to take the next step, they will need the following to occur. Left tackle Ikem Ekwonu who was a first round pick a few years ago will need to step his game up a few notches. Ekwonu has certainly not been a bust but he has not quite lived up to the billing as a first-round pick although he has shown flashes of very strong play. Center Austin Corbett was solid on the offensive front for the Panthers during the 2024 season who is now a free agent. If Carolina can replace him with a true star at the position this offseason, then the Panthers offensive line can take the leap from good to great. The offensive line is becoming much more an emphasis in the NFL now more than ever and the Carolina fanbase should be optimistic about the team as the Panthers possess a strong unit. Panthers fans should be optimistic about the future state of the offensive line and quarterback positions but the skill position players are indeed lacking and is perhaps the biggest thing that led to the offense’s undoing this past season. A complete breakdown of the significant skill position players on the Carolina offensive side of the ball can be found below similar to what I did for the offensive line of the team.
Carolina Panthers Key Skill Position Players
WR1 – Xavier Legette – (97/110) offense grade in 16 games in 2024, 2024 first round pick, C to C-
WR2 – Adam Thielen – (29/110) offense grade in 10 games in 2024, B to B+
HB1 – Chuba Hubbard – (15/58) offense grade in 15 games in 2024, B to B+
TE1 – Ja’Tavion Sanders – (45/45) offense grade in 16 games in 2024, 2024 fourth round pick, D+
WR3 – Jalen Coker – (42/110) offense grade in 11 games in 2024, undrafted 2024, B to B-
WR4 – David Moore – (82/110) offense grade in 17 games in 2024, C, free agent
HB2 – Miles Sanders – (37/58) offense grade in 2024 in 11 games, C+
TE2 – Tommy Tremble – (42/45) offense grade in 2024 in 12 games, D+ to C-, free agent
HB3 – Jonathon Brooks – (47/58) offense grade in 2024 in 3 games, 2024 second round pick, C
As you can see from the above data the Panthers offensive skill position players lacked in production this past season although there were some bright spots. 2024 first round pick Xavier Legette really underwhelmed as a rookie this past season but it is too early to label him as a bust, however. Adam Thielen is aging but had a resurgent year in the 2024 campaign and was a viable veteran target for young quarterback Bryce Young. Chuba Hubbard has consistently been one of the better overall halfbacks in the sport and perhaps with a strong level of help around him he can begin to emerge as a true star at the position. 2024 undrafted wide out Jalen Coker had a remarkable rookie campaign and can be a strong receiving option for the Panthers going forward. Jonathon Brooks as a 2024 second round pick appeared in a very small sample size of snaps as a rookie in the 2024 season. He was not at all productive in the three games he appeared in but it is far too early to label him as a bust. Carolina should look into adding a viable tight end this offseason as the production that they got from that position in the 2024 season was in the definitive argument for the worst in the NFL. Neither primary player at the tight end spot is a young high draft pick who the Panthers can expect to tremendously improve going forward either.
Overall, on the offensive side of the ball the Carolina Panthers were pretty mediocre over the course of the 2024 season but there is reason to be optimistic about the future. The Panthers offensive line was very good over the course of this past season and if Carolina can see improvement from their young left tackle and add a strong player this offseason, then the Panthers offensive line can be amongst the premier units in professional football going forward. Chuba Hubbard and Adam Thielen gave the team strong production from a skill position standpoint in 2024. But the remaining skill players on the team really underwhelmed but Carolina should be optimistic that 2024 first and second rounders Xavier Legette and Jonathon Brooks can improve their level of play and reach their full potential as high draft picks. Obviously, the success on the offensive side of the ball is contingent upon quarterback Bryce Young and offensive minded head coach Dave Canales more-so than the personnel. Bryce Young as a former number one overall pick has shown flashes of excellence after being labeled as a bust previously. Dave Canales is a young smart offensive mind who was perhaps the primary person who resurrected the careers of Geno Smith and Baker Mayfield. Panthers fans should be optimistic about the combination of those two going forward for the team.
The defensive side of the ball was even more concerning than the offensive end for Carolina this past season. The Panthers allowed easily the most points out of any team in the NFL this past regular season and the team’s defensive rankings for the 2024 campaign can be found below.
Carolina Panthers 2024 Defensive Rankings
Points Per Game Allowed – 32nd
Yard Per Game Allowed – 32nd
Defense Grade According to Pro Football Focus – 32nd
Based on the above data, a very strong argument could be made that the Panthers were the weakest defensive team in professional football this past season. I have conducted a similar analysis of the team’s defensive personnel similar to what I did for the offense of the team which can be found below.
Panthers Key Defensive Line Personnel
DL1 – A’Shawn Robinson – (89/146) defense grade over 761 snaps in 2024, C+
DL2 – LaBryan Ray – (145/146) defense grade over 626 snaps in 2024, D, free agent
DL3 – Shy Tuttle – (132/146) defense grade over 610 snaps in 2024, C+
DL4 – DeShawn Williams – (114/146) defense grade over 338 snaps in 2024, C+, free agent
DL5 – Nick Thurman – (137/146) defense grade over 241 snaps in 2024, C to C+
DL6 – Derrick Brown – (117/146) defense grade over 60 snaps in 2024, A to A-
ED1 – Jadeveon Clowney – (37/135) defense grade over 650 snaps in 2024, B+
ED2 – D.J Wonnum – (108/135) defense grade over 453 snaps in 2024, C
ED3 – Cam Gill – (129/135) defense grade over 222 snaps in 2024, C to C+
ED4 – D.J Johnson – (113/135) defense grade over 392 snaps in 2024, C
ED5 – Shaq Lawson – (98/135) defense grade over 14 snaps in 2024, C+ to B-
ED6 – Marquis Haynes Sr – (132/135) defense grade over 41 snaps in 2024, C+
As you can see from the above data, the Carolina Panthers defensive line was mostly bereft of talent outside of a few players. Jadeveon Clowney and Derrick Brown were the two bright spots on the Panthers defensive line with Brown missing essentially all of the 2024 season. A primary point of emphasis this offseason should be to add talent to the rest of the defensive front to supplement those two players. I conducted a similar analysis of the team’s linebacking unit which can be found below.
Panthers Key Linebackers
LB1 – Josey Jewell – (75/92) defense grade 796 snaps in 2024, C+ to B-
LB2 – Trevin Wallace – (75/91) defense grade over 582 snaps in 2024, C, 2024 third round pick
LB3 – Shaq Thompson – (37/92) defense grade over 245 snaps in 2024, B to B-, free agent
The linebacking core of the Carolina defense is respectable. Josey Jewell is inconsistent at the linebacker spot grading as below average in each of the past two seasons despite grading as above average to well above average the previous three seasons. Trevin Wallace, a 2024 third round pick, had a respectable rookie season. Shaq Thompson suffered a season ending injury in 2024 which limited his time on the field but he is productive if not very productive when playing. If Jewell can regain his form, if Wallace can develop in a large way in year 2, and if Thompson comes back strong from injury, the Panthers linebacking core will be very formidable in 2025. Thompson is however a free agent and Carolina should potentially re-sign him but doing so will be a risk as he is aging coming off a torn achilles tendon. I conducted a similar analysis of the Panthers secondary which can also be found below.
Panthers Key Secondary Players
CB1 – Mike Jackson – (47/128) defense grade over 1204 snaps in 2024, B+
CB2 – Jaycee Horn – (59/128) defense grade over 1034 snaps in 2024, B+
CB3 – Chau Smith-Wade – (113/128) defense grade over 301 snaps in 2024, D+
CB4 – Dane Jackson – (128/128) defense grade over 282 snaps in 2024, C
CB5 – Caleb Farley – (97/128) defense grade over 169 snaps in 2024, C to C-, 2021 first round pick, free agent
S1- Xavier Woods – (82/104) defense grade over 1216 snaps in 2024, C+ to B-, free agent
S2 – Jordan Fuller – (88/104) defense grade over 574 snaps in 2024, C+, free agent
S3 – Demani Richardson – (71/104) defense grade over 403 snaps in 2024, C
As you can see from the above data the tandem of cornerbacks that the Panthers field is actually very strong. Mike Jackson and Jaycee Horn are both above average as players in the league, however the remaining cornerbacks present on the Carolina roster are all below average. 2021 first round pick Caleb Farley has really struggled with injuries thus far in his NFL career but he might be able to give the Panthers strong production if he can stay on the field in 2025. The safety position was a concerning point for Carolina as well as both Woods and Fuller graded in the below average to well bellow average range in 2024 although both are capable. Farley and the two top safeties are free agents entering the offseason and it remains to be seen how Carolina will approach those three player’s statuses on the team next season.
Overall, on the defensive side of the ball the Panthers were arguably the weakest team in the NFL this past season. However, there were some bright spots and a lot of the poor statistical output can be attributed to outlier games such as giving up 44 to the Saints, 40 to the Commanders, and 48 to the Bucs. Obviously, the Panthers are fully accountable for the poor performance on defense in those games but those games and a few others skewed the statistical output and made the Carolina defense look a lot weaker than it actually was. Jadeveon Clowney and Derrick Brown, the latter of whom missed nearly all of the 2024 season, form one of the better defensive line tandems in professional football. If Josey Jewell and Trevin Wallace can play near peak form along with Shaq Thompson coming back strongly from injury, the Panthers will boast a solid linebacking unit in 2025. The secondary of the Panthers was led by a strong cornerback duo but the remaining starters in the secondary left much to be desired. The team did not have a viable number three cornerback and the safeties were mediocre caliber. The team should emphasis pouring whatever assets they have this offseason into the defense as the offense outside of tight end is in good shape.
Overall, with the Carolina Panthers the fanbase should be very optimistic about the future state of the team. Although Bryce Young may never be in the same class as the Mahomes’ and Burrows of the world, he can certainly be in that class with Jared Goff and Jalen Hurts in my estimation. With the Lions and Eagles being perhaps the two premier teams in the NFL this past season when they were healthy with those two quarterbacks leading the way. Dave Canales is a bright young offensive mind in an offensive oriented league and he and Bryce Young will be a dangerous tandem in the NFL for years to come. From an offensive personnel standpoint the Panthers are a few players away from potentially being right in the same class as the Eagles and Lions. As stated previously, if the team can address the tight end spot, add another high caliber offensive lineman to take the unit from very good to great, and see development primarily from the likes of 2024 first round wide out Xavier Legette. From an offensive personnel standpoint the Panthers would absolutely be in a similar class to Philadelphia and Detroit. With Bryce Young absolutely being a similar type of tier 2 level talent at the quarterback position just like Goff and Hurts are for either one of those teams. With Dave Canales being just as bright of an offensive-minded coach as Dan Campbell and Nick Sirianni are for the Lions and Eagles. Going into the 2025 season I believe the Panthers can certainly vie for the postseason with Bryce Young healthy but the team is perhaps still a season or two away from being a legitimate threat to win the NFC with him at quarterback. But I certainly think that he and Canales are capable of consistently contending for a Super Bowl at some point in the near future.
