Carolina Panthers Fantasy Football News | Shark Bites

The Panthers selected Ole Miss WR Jonathan Mingo in Round 2 of the 2023 NFL Draft. Mingo is a bet-on-traits prospect. He spent four years at Ole Miss but never led the team in receiving yards and totaled only 12 TDs. His career 25.6% Dominator Rating (share of team receiving yards and receiving TDs) lands in the 40th percentile. But Mingo goes 6’2, 220 pounds with a 4.46-second 40 time and a 39.5-inch vertical. His Combine performance earned him a 98th percentile Relative Athletic Score. That size and athleticism pops on tape. Mingo is a smooth mover who can win deep and after the catch. He was one of 12 WRs in the nation to earn a 99.9 Pro Football Focus grade on deep targets last year – AND averaged a big 7.3 yards after the catch per reception. Mingo lands on a Panthers squad without any long-term, impact WRs. Playing alongside the highly-accurate Bryce Young only adds to Mingo’s dynasty appeal.

Carolina selected Alabama QB Bryce Young with the first pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Young’s size (5’10, 204 pounds) garnered most of the attention pre-draft. Just note that he missed only one game in two starting seasons. (Young suffered an A/C joint sprain in his right shoulder last October.) The former five-star recruit wins both inside the pocket and out with an uncanny ability to feel pressure and deliver an accurate ball. Across two starting seasons, Young racked up 8,200 yards, 79 TDs, and only 12 INTs. In Carolina, he’s the heavy favorite to start Week 1 over Andy Dalton. A WR corps of Adam Thielen, D.J. Chark, and Terrace Marshall Jr. isn’t ideal for year one. But we’re optimistic about the QB’s long-term prospects.

The Panthers and WR Adam Thielen have reportedly agreed to a three-year deal. The terms of the contract are unknown as of this writing. After nine years in Minnesota, the long-time Viking and former UDFA will have an opportunity to get his career back on track. Thielen recorded four seasons of 900+ receiving yards between 2016 and 2020 en route to a pair of Pro Bowl nods and an All-Pro second-team nomination in 2017. This past season saw his lowest productivity in PPR fantasy points per game (10.6) and target share (17.2%) since 2016, and the Vikings' midseason acquisition of TE T.J. Hockenson caused Thielen to see an even steeper drop-off in usage in the latter half of 2022. With a slim WR corps, Thielen should be able to establish himself as a top option in the Panthers' passing attack. That said, it's tough to imagine a ton of fantasy upside from a player that turns 33 by the time the 2023 NFL season begins. This signing helps dynasty managers left holding the bag after the Vikings released Thielen earlier this month, but that's about it. Thielen's presence as a veteran option for whichever rookie QB the Panthers opt to select with the number one pick of the NFL Draft will be useful, though likely more important for real-life football than fantasy.

New Eagles RB Rashaad Penny told reporters that he's been medically cleared from the fractured fibula that ended his 2022 season in October. Injuries, of course, have been a major issue for Penny through 5 NFL seasons. He's missed 40 of 82 games. But he's also been awesome when healthy, averaging a huge 5.7 yards per carry. Penny is currently the favorite to assume the old Miles Sanders, early-down role in Philadelphia. Sanders finished 22nd among RBs in PPR points per game last year -- a level Penny is certainly capable of reaching in 2023.

According to multiple reports, RB Miles Sanders has agreed to a contract with the Panthers. This move makes a ton of sense for many reasons. New Panthers HC Frank Reich is likely to operate a similar offense to the one Sanders played in with the Eagles, given that their HC Nick Sirianni served as Reich's OC with the Colts from 2018 to 2020. Though Sanders set career-high marks in touches (279), rushing yards (1,269), and TDs (11) in 2022, he failed to play more than 40% of the Eagles' offensive snaps in every game after Week 16 through the Super Bowl. In an offense devoid of major talent, Sanders will have an opportunity to thrive in what should be a comparable scheme to the one in Philadelphia. Plus, without a major rushing threat at QB like Jalen Hurts as of now, we may see Sanders return to form as a pass-catcher. He totaled 78 receptions across his first pair of seasons in the NFL, but only 46 between 2021 and 2022. We're looking at a solid opportunity for a quality RB2-type season from Sanders if the Panthers don't add too much more around him.

UPDATE: Sanders' contract is reportedly a four-year deal, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. Certainly no small investment here.

The Panthers have reportedly agreed to a two-year, $10 million contract with QB Andy Dalton. ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the deal includes $8 million in guaranteed money and that the contract could be worth up to $17 million in total. This deal makes a lot of sense for the Panthers as they're likely to take a young QB with the number one overall pick in the NFL Draft next month. Having an experienced player like Dalton there to serve as a mentor and aid in the development of whoever the franchise ultimately chooses to draft is a wise choice. Should HC Frank Reich choose to take his time with whichever rookie QB the team opts for, Dalton could feasibly be a decent bridge option for a few games as well. Dalton totaled 2,871 passing yards with 18 touchdowns and nine interceptions in 14 starts with the Saints in 2022. If nothing else, this means dynasty managers can justify holding onto their shares of Dalton.

The Eagles and RB Rashaad Penny have agreed to a one-year deal, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The former NFL first-round pick has struggled to stay healthy in his career, though he's shown the ability to be an effective fantasy RB when healthy. Penny has averaged over six yards per carry on 176 carries in 15 games over the last two seasons. Prior to succumbing to a fractured tibia in Week 5, Penny was the RB24 overall in PPR scoring with an 11.7 PPG average through the first month of the 2022 season. Should he stay healthy, Penny has an opportunity to thrive behind an Eagles offensive line that ranked 6th in Football Outsiders' adjusted line yards in 2022. That said, the presence of QB Jalen Hurts does cap the upside of any RB in the Eagles' offense, particularly in the red zone. There's reason to like Penny as a dead zone RB in redraft this season. Moreover, if the Eagles don't address the RB room beyond this signing, RB Kenneth Gainwell becomes an incredibly appealing fantasy option as a bench stash. Gainwell, a former 4th-round pick in 2021, performed well down the stretch for the Eagles and would stand to inherit some hefty work should the oft-injured Penny find himself ailing again in 2023. This backfield will be scary if all goes well assuming health.

The Panthers have reached a deal with former Bengals S Vonn Bell, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Carolina still has S Xavier Woods, who signed for three years as a free agent last offseason. The team lists Jeremy Chinn as a safety as well, but he moves around the formation. According to Pro Football Focus, Chinn actually played more snaps at slot CB than anywhere else last season. So expect the Panthers to have room for all three players in their primary defensive alignments. Cincinnati, meanwhile, must replace both safeties. Dax Hill -- a late first-round pick last April -- should fill one spot. We'll see about the other. Hill gets a boost in the dynasty rankings with these departures.

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports that the Vikings are releasing WR Adam Thielen. It's been a long-rumored, contract-related move. The 32-year-old (until August) has seen his target share decline for two straight seasons. Thielen also tallied a career-low 10.2 yards per catch last season and posted his second smallest averages in both receptions and yards per game since becoming a starter in 2016. We'd still bet on Thielen finding opportunity somewhere else, but it's tough to know how big a role to expect until he lands. You can take some shots on Thielen at his already depressed ADP in current best ball drafts. But don't target him too heavily or expect a huge payoff. Thielen's departure leaves opportunity for WR K.J. Osborn and TE T.J. Hockenson. Don't be surprised, though, if Minnesota adds a wide receiver early in the NFL Draft.

QB Bryce Young weighed in at 5’10, 204 pounds at the NFL Combine. Alabama listed him at 6’0, 194 pounds, so the results are a mixed bag. “I’ve been this size, respectfully, my whole life,” Young said at the Combine. “I know who I am. I know what I can do.” He opted to not take part in throwing drills. But the tape shows Young as the most polished QB prospect in this class. Despite a slim frame, it’d be a surprise if he drops out of the top-5 on draft night. See where he slots in our QB dynasty rankings.

The Panthers are hiring Ejiro Evero as DC, according to multiple reports. In his 1st year as Broncos DC, Evero earned widespread praise. He piloted a unit that ranked 7th in yards allowed, 14th in points allowed and 10th in Football Outsiders' DVOA. Denver likely would have ranked even better but traded EDGE Bradley Chubb during the season and lost S Justin Simmons to injury for 5 games (among other injuries). Evero -- who has been on NFL staffs since 2007, except for 1 year spent at the D-III level -- impressed enough to draw head-coaching interviews this offseason. He'll take over a Panthers defense with some talented pieces. Chief among those are EDGE Brian Burns, S Jeremy Chinn, CB Jaycee Horn and DT Derrick Brown. Don't be surprised if the Carolina defense becomes more of a fantasy football factor in 2023.

Eagles RB Miles Sanders tallied 11 carries for 42 yards and 2 TDs in Sunday's NFC Championship win vs. the 49ers. Teammate Kenneth Gainwell led the team with 48 rushing yards. Sanders, QB Jalen Hurts, and RB Boston Scott combined for 4 rushing TDs in a game against a 49ers' defense that ranked as the single-toughest matchup in adjusted fantasy points allowed to RBs. Eagles OC Shane Steichen and company deserve a great deal of credit for this momentous victory. The Eagles will now be preparing to face the Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII.

Eagles RB Miles Sanders (knee) practiced fully on Friday and doesn't carry an injury tag ahead of Week 18 vs. the Giants. The soon-to-be free agent has struggled significantly over the last 3 weeks, but this upcoming matchup presents a good "get right" opportunity. Though the Giants' defense ranks 3rd-best in Football Outsiders' run defense DVOA over the last 4 weeks, Sanders torched them for 144 yards and 2 TDs in Week 14. Consider Sanders a low-end RB1 in Week 18.

Steelers WR Diontae Johnson (hip) practiced fully on Friday and doesn't appear on the final injury report ahead of Week 18 vs. the Browns. Though the veteran has scored nary a TD this season, Johnson's team-high 26.2% target share (8.5 targets per game) makes him a quality WR3/flex option on volume alone. This should serve as a good counterbalance to the Browns' defense ranking as the 6th-toughest matchup in adjusted fantasy points allowed to WRs.

Eagles RB Miles Sanders (knee) practiced in a limited capacity again on Thursday. We'll see if the veteran is able to log a full practice tomorrow. Stay tuned for news regarding Sanders' status for Week 18 vs. the Giants.

Steelers WR Diontae Johnson (hip) practiced fully on Thursday. The veteran wideout was listed as a non-participant in Wednesday's estimation, so this is great news for his availability for Week 18 vs. the Browns. We'll keep an eye out in case something changes on tomorrow's report.

Eagles RB Miles Sanders (knee) was a limited practice participant on Wednesday. With Week 18's game vs. the Giants still several days away, there's plenty of time for Sanders to ramp up activity. We'll track his practice status in anticipation of Sunday's contest.

Steelers WR Diontae Johnson (hip) did not practice on Wednesday. There's still plenty of time between now and Sunday's Week 18 game vs. the Browns for the veteran to ramp up activity. We'll know more about whether or not he's at risk of missing action as the week unfolds. Check back for updates in the coming days

Saints QB Andy Dalton finished with 18 completions on 22 attempts for 204 yards and 1 INT in Week 17's win vs. the Eagles. QB/TE hybrid Taysom Hill had his fair share of production as well, completing both of his pass attempts for 24 yards in addition to 46 rushing yards and a TD on the ground. The tandem approach has worked relatively well for the Saints all season, but it's far from an ideal circumstance for an NFL offense to rely upon. The pair will prepare to take on the Panthers in Week 18.

Eagles RB Miles Sanders totaled 12 carries for 61 yards in Sunday's loss vs. the Saints. Week 17 marks the 3rd game in a row in which Sanders failed to surpass 70 yards on the ground. To make matters worse, he's now tallied 2 catches for -7 yards as a receiver in this unfortunate stretch. Sanders had been the RB10 overall in PPR prior to Week 15 and certainly leaves a sour taste in the mouths of fantasy managers who trusted him in the fantasy championship round. Week 18 will present the upcoming free agent an opportunity to get right against a Giants run defense that presents a fairly neutral matchup.