Fansided
Fansided

NFL Power Ranking Preseason Edition: NFC only gets better

By George Stockburger

DENVER, CO - AUGUST 11: Quarterback Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings throws as he warms up before an NFL preseason game against the Denver Broncos at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on August 11, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - AUGUST 11: Quarterback Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings throws as he warms up before an NFL preseason game against the Denver Broncos at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on August 11, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
22 of 33
Next
ORCHARD PARK, NY – AUGUST 09: Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers drops back to pass during the first quarter of a preseason game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field on August 9, 2018 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NY – AUGUST 09: Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers drops back to pass during the first quarter of a preseason game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field on August 9, 2018 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /

12. team. 87. . . . Carolina Panthers

Carolina doesn’t have many holes, and the prospects of offensive coordinator Norv Turner taking over a talented group is enticing.

Cam Newton is going into year eight since leaving Auburn, and while he’s dealing with a knee injury, he should be set for week one. This season will be the final guaranteed year of Newton’s contract with two more years remaining in his $103.8 million deal.

CHARLOTTE, NC – DECEMBER 17: Christian McCaffrey #22 of the Carolina Panthers runs the ball against the Green Bay Packers in the first quarter during their game at Bank of America Stadium on December 17, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC – DECEMBER 17: Christian McCaffrey #22 of the Carolina Panthers runs the ball against the Green Bay Packers in the first quarter during their game at Bank of America Stadium on December 17, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

Christian McCaffrey stands to benefit the most from Turner coming in with his role expected to expand as a runner and receiver. Last year McCaffrey had better numbers as a receiver than a runner with only 435 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. Expect a big leap for him in year two out of Stanford.

Rookie D.J. Moore led the Panthers in the first week of the preseason with four catches and 75 yards. Paired with veteran Torrey Smith and Devin Funchess, Moore could emerge as the number one wide receiver in Carolina.

Carolina’s defensive line has a LOT of experience with 519 games between their starting four defensive linemen. Julius Peppers takes about half of those games for himself with 250 career appearances, but regardless, there are a lot of miles on that front four.

Add onto that Thomas Davis and Mike Adams with 270 games combined, and there’s a WHOLE LOT of experience on this Panthers defense.

Can those players and Luke Kuechly hold up for an entire season?

Home/Power Rankings