Breakout 2025 Candidates

[shaqattaq]

22 hours ago, countryboi said:

I feel like Sanders is ready to explode so he is my pick but I am secretly pulling for Legette. he has been having a great off season, lets keep the party going

I'm not so secretly pulling for him! I really think that a year's experience in the nfl and TMac taking the D's emphasis off of him will open up his game tremendously. 

TMac, XL and Theilen are all starter quality WR's (I didn't say elite)! I would argue that the Panther's have only had 3 starter caliber receivers when Smitty, Moose and Proehl graced our field... until now.

[CRA]

after years of studying the huddle and predictions...

XL is the most likely to excel this year (because he is the most doubted)

Tmac is the most likely to disappoint (because he is the highest praised new guy)

and AT will lead the team in targets, receptions and yards just to tick me off. 

[Bear Hands]

Smith-Wade for me. He has the path to some decent hefty snaps in Evero’s scheme. He held his own last year and improved as he continued to get snaps— If he makes some strides, could be a very capable nickel. 

I agree with Sanders. Bryce had some trust in him that final Falcons game post crazy head-stand.  Bryce looked for him a lot that final game and made some critical catches to get us the W. Seems he’s put in major work so I’m hopeful about him. 

Wallace will have an offseason under his belt. I like him a lot, was higher graded than most remember in his draft (I.e Brugler had him LB3/70 overall) but he isn’t as cerebral of an LB as we’re used to. I think he could thrive if we get D captain/film-junky type next to him— because right now that’s Jewell.  Still a bit cautious but love the talent. Rozeboom may snag some playing time from him if he’s still working out the kinks.

[Panthers Addict]

What I love and hate about this team is it’s more filled with potential breakout players than ever before. JT, XL, Coker, Smith-Wade, Ikem, Trevin… and even Bryce are all guys I could legitimately see taking the next step. But the problem with having so many of those guys is that team success somewhat relies on them taking that step, and some are bound not to.

That being said, I’m cautiously optimistic given our softer schedule, the way the offense clicked late last year, and the direction we finally have at GM, coach, and QB. Could see us as a sneaky playoff team.