Fantasy Football Team Previews 2020: Carolina Panthers
Must Own = Top 120
Value = 121-170
Deep Sleeper = 171 or later
All ADP data courtesy of Fantasy Pros
Must Own:
Christian McCaffery, RB (ADP: 1): There’s not much to say about McCaffery that isn’t obvious. He’s an incredibly dynamic RB who puts up elite rushing numbers and would be a Top 10-15 receiver if he didn’t register a single rushing attempt. He’s my No. 2 overall player behind Saquon Barkley, but you’d be silly to draft him any lower than that. 2,392 yards from scrimmage and 19 total touchdowns speaks for itself, regardless of a new coaching staff and QB. No matter what, they’ll use CMC.
D.J. Moore, WR (ADP: 33): Moore broke out last season – 87 receptions, 1,175 yards and four touchdowns – despite running routes for Kyle Allen, Will Grier, and briefly for a one-legged Cam Newton. He was elite per PFF, earning an 82.2 overall grade putting him at No. 11 in the NFL, and his four touchdowns indicate a strong chance of positive touchdown regression. While many would prefer he play with a healthy Cam Newton, Teddy Bridgewater will offer accuracy if nothing else, a welcome change from 2019. Moore is very quietly an elite WR, but the hype is drowned out by CMC’s excellence, and the underwhelming vibes put out by Bridgewater. I don’t love Bridgewater under center, but I like him better than what Moore had last season, so I trust on Moore to keep building on his progress.
Value:
Robby Anderson, WR (ADP: 157): Anderson is an interesting case, because he was both maddening and electric during his Jets tenure, but the upside of his game doesn’t seem like it’ll mesh with his new QB. With the Jets, QBs like Sam Darnold and Ryan Fitzpatrick were unafraid to throw the ball downfield; Bridgewater, on the other hand, is known more for accuracy and his short game. As I wrote here, of Anderson’s 20 career touchdowns, only five have come from inside 20 yards. He needs to beat teams deep to have fantasy impact, and he doesn’t have a QB that likes to challenge secondaries in that way. He also leaves a team where he was the de facto WR1; in Carolina he’s at best the No. 2 receiver, and potentially the fourth option in the passing game. He’ll need injuries to have a prominent role, and even if he gets it, he’s never proven he can take advantage. I’ll pass on this ADP.
Teddy Bridgewater, QB (ADP: 160): Bridgewater’s resume is underwhelming for fantasy owners, with respect to the fact that his career was forever altered by injury. As courageous as his comeback is, that’s not a fantasy stat. Strictly on paper, Teddy Two Gloves’ career high yardage is 3,200 yards, and he’s never thrown for more than 14 touchdowns in a season. Without much of a rushing floor either, you have to draft him on the belief that Matt Rhule is going to transform this into a high-powered offense right away, and that Bridgewater is his handpicked general. It’s a lot to ask, and quite frankly, I’m not taking the leap even if he has some impressive weaponry surrounding him.
Deep Sleepers:
Curtis Samuel, WR (ADP: 178): Samuel is a really dynamic receiver who I’d much rather take a stab on than Anderson. He has crazy speed and a knack for finding the end zone; he’s scored seven touchdowns in consecutive seasons despite never reaching 55 receptions. While I’m not convinced this offense can support a ton more than Moore and McCaffery, the variety of ways in which the Panthers can get Samuel the ball is intriguing. He has similar speed to Anderson, but is multi-dimensional, and therefore a better bet to break out.
Ian Thomas, TE (ADP: 192): Thomas has some buzz among real fantasy nerds, but I don’t really get it. Per PFF, Thomas’ greatest value last season was being an elite pass blocker; as a receiver he received a weak 52.3 grade. That doesn’t indicate much of a need to involve him more, and this is already an unappealing passing game to begin with. I’m taking a pass.