The Carolina Panthers enter the 2018 season with big time expectations. All won’t go according to plan though. Here are five bold predictions for the year.
Many people love to quote the adage that the NFL stands for “not for long.” The reason the saying is so popular is because it’s very true. As such, it’s natural to expect some surprises for the Carolina Panthers this year.
Panthers officials believe they have the talent necessary to win a Super Bowl championship. Time will tell whether or not they’re right. To take that gigantic step forward, they’re going to need some players to emerge out of relative obscurity. The first bold prediction on this list speaks to a third round pick whose role is very much up in the air.
5. Rashaan Gaulden will be a starter
The Panthers shocked a lot of draft experts by snapping the Tennessee defensive back up in round three. Questions immediately poured in about whether the team viewed him as a cornerback or safety.
The team responded pretty quickly with their intention to start him at safety. That makes a lot of sense given the age of Carolina’s current starters. Neither Mike Adams or Colin Jones in a position to provide Ron Rivera with long-term stability in the secondary.
One of them is bound to pick up and injury or simply see their performance slip due to age. If either happens, Gaulden will be thrown into the fire. He could also get serious time as the team’s big nickel corner. That’s a position he played a lot in college.
Golden’s versatility is just too strong to keep him on the bench. Look for him to emerge as a starter by midseason. His ability to adjust quickly to life in the NFL could be a real key for this defense down the stretch.
4. Cam Newton will throw twice as many touchdowns as interceptions
Norv Turner was brought to Carolina for the expressed purpose of helping Cam Newton become a more accurate quarterback. Most pundits are focusing on his completion percentage, but the real story will be Newton’s ability to eliminate costly interceptions.
The talented passer ended last season with 22 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. His interception percentage of 3.3% was the worst since his rookie season. It’s something he has to improve this season to help this offense run more effectively.
In fairness to Newton, the struggles last season weren’t all about him. He had a very weak receiver group to throw to after the trade of Kelvin Benjamin to Buffalo. This year his skill group looks much more promising.
Presumably Greg Olsen can enjoy a healthier 2018 season. Christian McCaffrey should be a more reliable weapon in his second season. The acquisitions of D.J. Moore and Torrey Smith should upgrade the wideout group considerably.
As such, it’s reasonable to think Newton can stop making the risky throws that plagued him last season. His change in philosophy may not show up in Week 1, but as he gets more comfortable with his receivers he’ll throw more touchdowns, and less interceptions, as the season progresses.
3. Vernon Butler will overtake Dontari Poe
The general manager that drafted Vernon Butler is no longer with the Panthers. Dave Gettleman’s departure makes this an especially big season for the massive defensive tackle. NFL franchises expect first round picks to start to really produce in their third seasons.
At first glance, Butler seems destined to back up Kawann Short and Dontari Poe. Short is one of the best defensive tackles in the game and Poe was handed a sizable contract to fill Star Lotulelei’s spot on the defensive line. The team’s intention is certainly to start Poe and Short together on Week 1.
Butler does have one skill that Poe doesn’t. He’s potentially a much more disruptive force in the middle. He doesn’t make as many good plays as Poe, but he does make more great ones. If he can solidify his ability to occupy space in the middle, he’s got a shot to knock off the big free agent signing.
Don’t expect to see this change in Week 1. Rivera and company will give Poe every chance to succeed. Watch for Butler to slowly work his way into the rotation. He’ll earn more and more snaps as the season goes on. Eventually, he’ll be the guy next to Short when the first string defense takes the field for the Panthers.
2. C.J. Anderson will lead the team in rushing
Christian McCaffrey is the most talented back on the Panthers roster, but that doesn’t mean he’s the best pure runner. That designation goes to C.J. Anderson. Look for him to get a heavy workload for the Panthers during the regular season.
After all, it’s Anderson, not McCaffrey who is coming off a 1,000-yard season. His ability to run the ball between the tackles will inevitably catch the eye of Rivera and the rest of the offensive coaching staff. His strength happens to coincide with McCaffrey’s biggest weakness.
Note, this doesn’t mean that McCaffrey is going to be dislodged as the starter. He’ll still get plenty of carries. More importantly, he will get tons of chances to catch balls out of the backfield. The former Cardinal might want to soak up all the carries too, but his body isn’t big enough to allow that yet.
Anderson isn’t going to put up another 1,000-yard season this year, but expecting him to hit 700 yards would be an excellent return for a backup running back. Anderson may only be a one year solution for the Panthers, but look for him to provide tremendous value while he’s in Carolina.
1. D.J. Moore will lead the team in receiving yards
Betting on rookie receivers to immediately succeed in the NFL is an extremely venture. That doesn’t change the fact that D.J. Moore is the Panthers’ most talented receiver. Bet on his talent to win out and ultimately allow him to lead the team in receiving yards this season.
That doesn’t mean Moore is going to lead the team in catches. He could easily finish third in that category behind Olsen and McCaffrey. What it does mean, is that he’ll be very productive when he does catch the ball.
The real difference between Moore and Devin Funchess is the rookie’s ability to make plays after the catch. As soon as he secures the ball he instantly turns into a running back. That’s going to be a nightmare for opposing defensive backs once he adjusts to life in the NFL.
The length of that adjustment period is the real concern here. Moore might not start the season fast enough to make this prediction come true. On the other hand, he may finish the year with such a burst that he overtakes the competition.
Next: Panthers lack of a backup QB is arrogant
NFL decision-makers are always willing to bet heavily on talent and Moore definitely has that. That’s why he’s going to become Newton’s most productive target this season.