Unless things change outside of the most important position, the Carolina Panthers won’t offer much for fantasy owners in 2013.
Cam Newton earned the No. 8 overall fantasy ranking as one of the NFL’s premier dual-threat quarterbacks. His maintained his prolific status even in a down season with 342.50 points, beating out Robert Griffin III in the process.
Newton orchestrated a respectable 12th-ranked offense last year. He also was the leading rusher on a Panthers squad that held top-10 bragging rights in total rushing yards.
The problem, however, is that Newton is really the only Carolina player worthy of a high fantasy draft pick. Steve Smith consistently registers 1,000-plus yards receiving. But how much longer can the 34-year-old keep that up with no semblance of a supporting cast?
Let’s now delve into the fantasy prospects for all key members of the Panthers’ offense.
Cam Newton, Quarterback
Carolina’s third-year QB regressed as a passer overall last season. He did, however, make a charge over the final six weeks.
Newton completed 10 touchdown passes next to just two interceptions from Week 12 through Week 17. He compiled a 98.7 passer rating, rushed for four scores and led the Panthers to a 5-1 record.
Indeed, it was his prowess as a rusher that fostered such a point-friendly fantasy season. His 116-yard, one-TD performance on nine carries against the Falcons in Week 14 encapsulated said skill set.
The man donning No. 1 must now become more productive as a passer. He just can’t accept a 57.7 completion percentage, fewer than 4,000 yards and only 19 TD throws.
Even with a lackluster supporting cast in the passing game, we believe Newton will elevate his game to a superior level as he works towards earning team captain honors. New offensive coordinator Mike Shula (his QB coach the past two seasons) will help facilitate that development.
Newton will maintain his QB1 status.
Projected Statistics: 4,150 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, seven rushing touchdowns
Steve Smith, Wide Receiver
Did someone say 34-years old?
Well, we did earlier, but the point remains.
Smith has racked up 1,000-yard receiving campaigns in six of the past eight seasons. Notable highlights within that span include a league-leading 12 touchdowns in 2005, 101.5 yards per game in 2008 and a top-10 ranked 16.1-yards per catch last year.
Yet, the man that is the active leader in all-purpose yards at 15,862 is well past the wrong side of 30. Can he still do it?
Smith scoffs at such notions. Whether he wants to admit it or not, a supporting receiving cast just isn’t there.
No. 89 can—and will—replicate established career success as opposed to any unproven skepticism. He and Newton will be a fine tandem in 2013.
Projected Statistics: 77 receptions, 1,220 yards, nine touchdowns
Brandon LaFell, Wide Receiver
LaFell hasn’t proved a big-play threat thus far in his short career.
The 6’2’, 210-pound former Tiger has averaged a decent 14.9-yards per catch but has just 118 catches and eight touchdowns over the past three seasons. His physical capabilities haven’t matched his on-field production.
Pro Football Focus ranked him as the 47th ranked wide receiver out of the 105 rated by the site. He’s showcased flashes of talent at times via back-to-back touchdown games in Week 11 and Week 12. At the same time, he also neglected to show up with two zero-catch performances in 2012.
LaFell is the No. 2 receiver on the Panthers. But that also doesn’t mean he’s a viable second option on your fantasy squad.
It remains to be seen if he can really put it all together in Year 3.
Projected Statistics: 40 receptions, 640 yards, four touchdowns
Greg Olsen, Tight End
Tight ends are security blankets in the NFL. Olsen is just that—and more.
The one reliable target outside of Steve Smith on the Panthers set career-highs with 69 catches, 843 yards and a 12.2-yard average, and added five touchdowns in 2013. He hauled in nearly 70 percent of the passes thrown his way and was a top-10 fantasy TE with 120.50 points.
Olsen will set new career-highs in receptions and receiving yards and will excel to his greatest degree overall in his third year with Newton throwing him the pigskin. Peg him as a TE1 option in the mid-rounds.
Projected Statistics: 70 receptions, 940 yards, six touchdowns
DeAngelo Williams, Running Back
Projecting stats for Carolina running backs is quite difficult. Williams is no exception.
Williams produced his lowest average and second-fewest total rushing yards in a full 16-game season. He accrued just 737 yards on a 4.3-yards-per-carry pace. His overall output wasn’t commensurate with what appeared in the box scores in years’ past.
The former two-time 1,000-yard back is on the wrong side of 30 and one of four options on a multi-faceted rushing attack. He must compete with Newton, Jonathan Stewart, Mike Tolbert, and rookie Kenjon Balmer for touches.
As such, Williams is not a RB1 option. He’ll contribute in a commendable team-first manner for the Panthers, but not so much for your fantasy squad.
Projected Statistics: 700 rushing yards, 15 receptions, 170 yards, five total touchdowns
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