2023 Carolina Panthers Training Camp Preview
If you read my hot takes post you already know that I have Carolina winning the NFC South this year. Bryce Young has brought the spark back in Carolina. I can’t remember a season where Panthers fans had more reasons to be excited about the future. With that said, let’s go over the 2023 Carolina Panthers training camp preview!
Position Battles:
1: Wide Receiver: Terrace Marshall, DJ Chark, Adam Thielen, Jonathan Mingo, Laviska Shenault, Shi Smith
How are the Panthers going to replace DJ Moore? They have a lot of names. That part can’t be denied. Shenault is a scrub and Shi Smith is maybe a 4th guy so let’s skip those two.
How much does Adam Thielen have left in the tank? Thielen will head into his age 33 season with a new team for the first time in his career. Does anybody feel confident in what they’re getting there? Seems like a pretty wide range of outcomes.
I do think DJ Chark and Terrace Marshall have some untapped upside. Both are former LSU wide receivers with positive height, weight, and speed traits. Can Bryce Young get more out of them?
Mingo is going to be the true wildcard. I thought he was overdrafted but maybe the Ole Miss product will prove me wrong. AJ Brown and DK Metcalf both went in the second round. I have Mingo as far worse. We’ll see what happens.
2: Right Guard: Austin Corbett vs. Chandler Zavala
Did you know Carolina returns all five starters along the offensive line in 2023? It’s one of the many reasons why I like them as NFC South winners. The one piece that could be changed is if rookie Chandler Zavala wins the job at right guard. I’d imagine it’s Corbett this year but down the line, I’m sure they hope the former NC State product develops into something.
3: Safety: Vonn Bell vs. Jammie Robinson
Another rookie vs. vet battle. Jammie Robinson has some talent coming out of Florida State. Vonn Bell has never been the best cover guy either. For this one, I’d expect Robinson gets in the field in sub packages and eventually takes over a starting safety spot.
Ready To Break Out: Derrick Brown
Derrick Brown is an animal. I just hope you’re paying attention. I loved Brown coming out of college and the former Auburn product took a huge step forward last year. I think 2023 is the year he becomes a household name. The pop year that Quinnen Williams had. That’s coming for Brown. Just stay tuned.
Rookie To Watch: Bryce Young
The number one overall pick is the easy answer. It’s been years of question marks for Carolina at quarterback. It’s nice to have a guy again. He really is the magic man. Just a smaller magic man. I can’t wait to see how it all unfolds.
Fantasy Sleeper: Miles Sanders
Are we sure Miles Sanders can’t have a really productive fantasy season? I’m talking top ten kind of year? I don’t think it’s out of the question. We forget that Sanders has been chomping at the bit for years to get more touches. Sanders is going to get exactly that after signing a free agent deal with Carolina.
Sanders had 259 carries a year ago after previously never having 180 in his career. Chuba Hubbard stinks; all you have to do here is follow the money.
102 Running Backs have been signed to a rookie or veteran contract this offseason, combining for $138.8M guaranteed – an average of $1.3M per player.
— Spotrac (@spotrac) June 8, 2023
Largest Guarantee
Bijan Robinson: $22M
Largest Vet. Guarantee
Miles Sanders: $13M
Carolina is going to use this guy a lot in both the ground and pass game. Reports are indicating that a heavy workload is coming. I think Sanders could have his best year yet.
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