Carolina Panthers Depth Chart 2018 Panthers Depth Chart

Carolina Panthers 2018 Strengths & Challenges

Coming off an 11-5 season and a wildcard berth, Carolina made a handful of changes during the offseason, both in player personnel and coaching staff. New offensive coordinator Norv Turner, a veteran of more than 30 years as an NFL coach (15 as head coach), should have the most immediate impact. Turner's primary task will be to develop consistency offensively, an ongoing issue in 2017. Over his career, Turner has shown an ability to adapt to his personnel; with talent such as Cam Newton, Christian McCaffrey, Greg Olsen and a mixture of skill, youth and experience at WR, expect Carolina, at least early on, to light up the scoreboard. New additions D.J. Moore, Torrey Smith and Jarius Wright at WR provide Newton with a deep threat the Panthers have lacked since the heyday of Steve Smith. Steady veteran C.J. Anderson brings an effective counterbalance to McCaffrey at RB, and the team is counting on WR Curtis Samuel to have a breakout season after an injury-shortened rookie campaign.

The Panthers also have a new defensive coordinator, Eric Washington, but there are far fewer concerns overall, as Carolina, under defensive-minded head coach Ron Rivera, now in his eighth season at the helm, has consistently been among the NFL's stingiest. The strength is with the LB corps, led by Luke Kuechly, arguably the league's best. The DL is stout, despite the loss of run-stuffer Star Lotulelei. Pro Bowler Kawann Short is in his prime, while 38-year old Julius Peppers continues to produce (11 sacks in 2017.) The secondary was up-and-down in 2017, especially susceptible against the deep ball. Rookies Dontae Jackson and Rashaan Gaulden will get early chances to contribute at CB and SS, respectively. Jackson brings world-class speed, while Gaulden has a reputation as a solid tackler. How quickly they adapt to the big leagues is critical to the success of this unit. Kickers Gano and Palardy are solid, while the return game, a non-factor in 2017, would get a huge boost if either Samuel or rookie Jackson steps up. McCaffrey is also an option, but with his expected increased workload, returning punts only exposes him unnecessarily to injury.

The ongoing debate ever since Newton's arrival has been how to best utilize his multi-talents without wearing him down. Turner's greatest success has come with pocket passers (Aikman, Rivers), but expect him to mix up the offensive scheme to get Newton out in space more where he's lethal against defenses. The primary roster battle is in the secondary, specifically at one of the CB slots, where Jackson, Kevon Seymour, Ross Cockrell and Lorenzo Doss are competing. Going up twice against division rival QBs Brees, Ryan and Winston makes dependable CB play an absolute necessity and presents a challenge. Otherwise, the rest of the roster appears relatively settled. Dontae Jackson will likely be the most impactful rookie, at CB and/or KR, with DT Dontari Poe and WRs Smith and Wright pretty much in a tossup for the free agent having the biggest impact in 2018.