2023 will go down as one of the most disastrous seasons for any franchise in NFL history. After going all in to acquire the top overall pick, Frank Reich’s tenure lasted all of 11 games, and top pick Bryce Young posted one of the worst rookie campaigns since the 2000 NFL season. Now missing their own No. 1 selection in 2024, Dave Canales has a tough task trying to turn around one of the worst rosters in football.

Young was unequivocally awful in Year One, averaging the fewest fantasy points per start for any signal-caller who started more than 12 games. Coaching, lack of supporting cast, and a poor offensive line played a big part, but the Panthers ranked dead last in passing and total offense. Young ranked 40th in adjusted completion rate and surpassed 250 yards once all season.

It is too soon to write Young off, but his career trajectory is in trouble. He is only a middling dynasty QB2 in Superflex leagues and should be left on the waiver wire in all other formats.

The Panthers had more success running the ball. Carolina ranked 20th in rushing, led by Chuba Hubbard’s 1,135 scrimmage yards and team-high five scores. However, second-round rookie RB Jonathon Brooks was the first running back selected in the 2024 NFL Draft and will be the heavy favorite to lead the backfield in touches when he is healthy.

Surrounding Young with better weapons was paramount for Canales. In March, the Panthers acquired disgruntled WR Diontae Johnson from the Steelers. Johnson was a target magnet in his first four seasons and enters 2024 motivated to ball out in a contract season.

Johnson will likely play from the perimeter as incumbent slot man Adam Thielen ranked fourth in the NFL with 82 slot targets. Carolina’s top two wideouts should warrant enough targets to be fantasy-relevant as potential flex options.

Carolina traded back up into the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft to select promising South Carolina WR Xavier Legette. The No. 32 pick has sub-4.4 speed and projects to be a perimeter threat once he can consistently defeat press coverage.

At tight end, Carolina will stick with a committee approach that is far from fantasy-friendly. Hayden Hurst and Tommy Tremble led the group with a meager 32 targets. Fourth-round rookie Ja’Tavion Sanders has a real shot at leading the way in 2024, mixing in with Tremble.

Carolina is in a full-blown rebuild with more questions than answers. That makes the Panthers an undesirable roster to target in fantasy football drafts. Some mid-to-late-round options offer some volume appeal on this roster, but Bryce Young must make huge strides in his second season.

Quarterbacks

QB BRYCE YOUNG – DYNASTY ONLY

Any way you look at it, Bryce Young was horrendous as a rookie. Young failed to eclipse 200 yards in 11 of his 16 starts. Young was limited to single-digit fantasy outings 11 times and ranked dead last with an appalling 5.5 yards per attempt. A new regime in Carolina will try to right the ship but it won’t be easy. The Panthers are projected to win the fewest games in the league. Fortunatley, reinforcements are on the way with Diontae Johnson, Xavier Legette, Jonathon Brooks, and Ja’Tavion Sanders. But even with a new staff and supporting cast, Young should be viewed as a total fade except for patient dynasty managers. ADVICE: Not a reliable QB2…

Week 11 NFL Player Props

For the first time this season, we didn’t have a profitable week. In Week 10, we finished 3-4 (-1.5 Units) and are now 31-24 (+8.8 Units) on the 2023 season. It’s time to get back in the winning column after a tough week with our Week 11 NFL Player Props.

As always, I will be listing my seven favorite player props as we prepare for Week 11’s slate of NFL action. Unlike last week when several high-powered offenses were on bye weeks such as the reigning AFC and NFC Champions, Week 11’s bye belongs to four mediocre teams: the Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints, Indianapolis Colts, and the abysmal New England Patriots. 

Fantasy football owners have an edge when it comes to prop betting because we are so in tune with individual player performances. As always, remember to odds shop at your different sportsbooks to find the best values for the prop bets listed below. Now, let’s get down to business and find the best Week 11 NFL player prop bets and continue our profitable NFL season. 

Bryce Young OVER 34.5 pass attempts (-105)

The Panthers are now 10.5-point underdogs on the road against a filthy Dallas Cowboys defense. You might be wondering why I’d recommend this prop when Bryce Young has struggled so much and we’ve seen how dominant this Cowboys team can be. However, a blowout would result in Carolina playing catch-up and airing it out all night to try to even the score. 

Dallas is 4-1 against the spread when laying at least six points this season and their average margin of victory in those four wins is 27.5 points (largely due to the New York Giants). Young is going to have to throw the ball if Carolina has any chance at keeping pace with Dallas’ high-octane offense. 

It’s important to note that in every single game that Young started in which the Panthers lost by double digits, he attempted at least 38 passes. With the Panthers expected to fall behind big time in this game, the franchise will likely want to see what the No.1 pick in this year’s draft can do given this is already a lost season for the 1-8 Panthers. Even if they are down big, it’s hard to envision Young being benched. The team will want to further his development and not shake his confidence. Take the Over. 

Will Levis…

WHAT OTHER PLAYER PROPS LOOK LIKE PROMISING BETS THIS WEEK?…

USE CODE: BLITZ50 FOR 50% OFF your first TWO MONTHS! —OR— If you just lost Joe Burrow or Mark Andrews, USE CODE: BADLUCK for 90% off the REST OF SEASON!!!

DEADLINE THIS SUNDAY.

GO PRO! Join FullTime Fantasy.

Predictably, Week 9’s Steelers/Titans game lacked fantasy firepower. And that appears to be applicable again in Week 10 as the offensively-challenged Panthers travel to Chicago to take on the last-place Bears. Our Thursday Night Football Preview: Week 10 breaks down the fantasy prospects in a game that seemingly lacks talking points.

The Panthers mustered only 275 yards of offense and 13 points in a home loss to the Colts. Now, the 1-win Panthers must travel on short rest. Carolina is 0-4 on the road and has yet to win a game against an NFC rival.

Meanwhile, the Bears have quarterback concerns. Tyson Bagent has been adequate, but Chicago’s offense lacks scoring upside without Justin Fields. Last week, the Bears out-gained New Orleans but dropped to 1-2 without Fields under center.

This game opened with the home team favored by just 1.5 points with a total of 41. However, early action on the Bears pushed the line to -3 and the total dipped to 39.

Matchup 

Scoring has been an issue all season for the Panthers, and Carolina’s offensive line has been a big culprit. The Panthers rank 31st in passing yards per attempt and have allowed the fifth-most sacks. LT Ikem Ekwonu has struggled, leading to a lack of time and no ability for plays to develop downfield.

Carolina has only topped 250 passing yards once all season and their defense has allowed the second-most points and forced just seven turnovers. Subsequently, it is difficult to rely on the Panthers for points or fantasy production. Even when facing a Chicago defense that ranks 26th.

For the Bears, they will focus on keeping the ball on the ground. Chicago’s rushing attack ranks fourth and matches up well with a Carolina D that has surrendered the fifth-most rushing yards and allowed a league-worst 14 rushing touchdowns so far in 2023.

However, the biggest question for the Bears will be the health of quarterback Justin Fields. Tyson Bagent has filled in well for three games. But, Fields brings potential as a passer and runner that has been lacking.

Finally, weather should not be a factor. The forecast calls for 48-degree temperatures, with no precipitation or abnormal wind.

Carolina Offense 

Bryce Young is being overshadowed by…

How will Thursday’s Panthers vs. Bears game go?

To get Jody’s BEST BET and finish reading this content…

USE CODE: BLITZ50 FOR 50% OFF your first TWO MONTHS! —OR— Use save20 for 20% off our 6-month package!

DEADLINE THIS FRIDAY.

GO PRO! Join FullTime Fantasy.

2023 Carolina Panthers Outlook

The 2023 NFL season is right around the corner and that means fantasy football drafts are underway. Before you assemble your championship dynasty, redraft, or high-stakes squad, FullTime Fantasy members will have an in-depth, player-by-player preview of all 32 teams from football legend Shawn Childs.

Also, check out Jody Smith’s NFL offensive line rankings and exclusive 2023 Strength of Schedule analysis.

Up next in our extensive NFL and fantasy football preview series is Shawn’s deep dive into the 2023 Carolina Panthers Outlook.

— Quarterback —

Bryce Young

Over his final two seasons at Alabama, Young completed 65.9% of his passes for 8,200 yards with 79 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He posted his best season in 2021 (4,782/50) while showing growth as a runner last year (49/185/4).

Young has a grip and rip-it feel after the snap, but sometimes he doesn’t throw a crisp ball. His throws do have more carry downfield than they appear after his release. Young played with top receiving talent at Alabama behind a winning offensive line. His completion windows will be smaller in the NFL, and his playground style when the pocket breaks down will lead to fewer big plays.

Fantasy Outlook: The structure of the Panthers’ receiving corps has a combination of veteran experience and some young developing options. Carolina will try to establish the run and let the progression of Young determine the number of passing attempts per game. I only see a newer version of Mac Jones in his rookie season with similar overall receiving options (NE has better tight ends, while CAR may have a higher ceiling at WR2, WR3, and WR4). My starting point is 4,000 combined yards with 22 to 26 touchdowns.

Matt Corral

Over his final two seasons at Mississippi, Corral completed 69.2% of his passes for 6,686 yards with 49 touchdowns and 19 interceptions. He gained 9.4 yards per pass attempt while also being active as a runner (112/506/4 and 152/614/11). Almost one-third of his rushing yards two years ago came in one game (30/195). Over his final nine full games in 2021, Corral failed to deliver more than two passing touchdowns in any matchup. In his meeting vs. Malik Willis (173 passing yards with no touchdowns and three interceptions plus 27/71/1 on the ground) on November 6th, he gained 333 combined yards with one touchdown.

Corral also took the snap out of the shotgun on most plays, but Mississippi ran play-action run/pass options to keep defenses on their heels. He showed the ability to stick quick passes on time on a tight line while doing some dirty work in the run game. Corral must improve his decision-making on his run plays to avoid taking big hits at the next level. His desire to fight for extra yards on the ground can be a win at the goal line. Corral offered touch when asked to drive the ball downfield in the passing game, but some passes had a high vertical, which may lead to more interceptions. 

I expect him to control the first 20 yards past the line of scrimmage while only using his legs when asked to move the chains. In addition, Corral will make his share of big passing plays in an offense with a top-tier run game. 

Fantasy Outlook: After missing his rookie season with a left foot injury that required surgery, Corral will start 2023 holding a clipboard as the Panthers’ QB3. 

Other Options: Andy Dalton

— Running Backs —

Over the first six games, Christian McCaffrey gained 670 combined yards with three touchdowns and 33 catches. Their other running backs held the fort after the McCaffrey trade, leading to 2,020 combined yards with 11 scores and 39 catches. Overall, the Panthers’ back set three-year highs in rushing attempts (435), rushing yards (2,013), and yards per carry (4.6). They averaged 24.94 FPPG in PPR formats.

Miles Sanders

It’s hard to imagine that Sanders didn’t score in 2021 when looking at Philly’s backs finishing with 16 touchdowns. He rushed for an impressive 5.5 yards per carry but only 6.1 yards per catch. Over the first six weeks, Sanders gained 391 yards with 18 catches on 75 touches (12.5 per game). He left Week 7 with an ankle injury that led to three more missed games. When Sanders returned to the lineup, the Eagles were much more active in the run game, leading to 446 combined yards with six catches on 73 touches. A broken hand in Week 16 ultimately ended his regular season. His stats projected over 17 games came to 1,292 combined yards with 37 catches. 

Last season, Sanders played at a similar level in the run game (259/1,269/11), but his stats looked much better due to him playing an entire year. The Eagles scored 32 rushing touchdowns, helping him set a career-best in scores (11). His biggest strike was the decline in his chance in the passing game (20/78 on 26 targets). Sanders rushed for more than 100 yards in three matchups (27/134/2, 21/143/2, and 17/144/2). Philadelphia gave him more than 20 carries in only two contests. His production lost value over the final four games (55/201 with two catches for minus seven yards). 

Fantasy Outlook: In the early draft season in the high-stake market, Sanders ranks 20th at running back, five spots lower than his finish in fantasy points (220.20) in 2022 in PPR formats. He has a 50-catch season on his resume, and Carolina ranked higher than the Eagles in running back production last year. If Sanders can stay healthy, I expect 275 touches with 1,300 combined yards, 10 touchdowns, and 40 catches. 

WHAT CAN WE EXPECT OUT OF THE PANTHERS IN 2023?

To finish reading Shawn’s in-depth 2023 team outlook, with in-depth offseason reports, projections, and fantasy outlooks for all players

GO PRO! Join FullTime Fantasy.