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Dave Canales took over the Panthers in 2024 and things got off to a rocky start. Bryce Young struggled and went to the bench. But after a few weeks of Andy Dalton, Young re-emerged and the team started playing better. While they finished just 5-12 on the season. Can that progress from late in 2024 carry over into 2025? Let’s dive in.

Off-Season Changes

The Panthers bid farewell to Miles Sanders, as the running back headed to Dallas to join the Cowboys. Linebacker Shaq Thompson also departed, signing with the Bills. The Panthers saw a few pieces in the secondary leave. Cornerback Dane Jackson signed with Buffalo, while Lonnie Johnson signed with the Raiders. Safety Xavier Woods left for the Tennessee Titans.

The team brought in safety Trevon Moehrig to bolster the secondary and linebackers Patrick Jones and Christian Rozeboom. The Panthers also added Rico Dowdle, who rushed for more than 1,000 yards in 2024, as an addition to the backfield. In the draft, the team spent a First-Round pick on receiver Tet McMillan. He caught 213 passes for 3,423 yards and 26 touchdowns in three years with Arizona.

Fantasy Impact

Young finished as QB20 despite being a non-factor the first seven weeks. I think he has the potential to take a step up in 2025. I like him as a solid QB2. In the backfield, Chuba Hubbard is again the lead back. Hubbard was RB14 in 2024. I like him as an RB2 again in 2025. I like Dowdle as an RB4.

In the passing game, McMillan joins with second-year receiver Xavier Legette and veteran Adam Thielen. It’s an interesting group of pass catchers. I like McMillan as the top receiver, in the WR3 range. I think Legette and Thielen will both contribute. I have them both in the WR4/5 range. The wild card is tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders. Could he step up in year two? It’s possible, but I’m not sure he finishes as Top 25.

The Bottom Line

The Panthers weren’t great in 2024, but they were fun and frisky in November and December. Canales is working on this team and the offense. I think they’ll be fun to watch again, but probably not ready to make a serious playoff run. I think they’ll still be in the six-to-eight-win range.

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.