Barnwell - Ranking WR, TE, RB Groups in NFL

[kungfoodude]

Quote

31. Carolina Panthers

2024 rank: 28 | 2023 rank: 31

Well, the Panthers certainly keep trying to add receivers. This year, it's No. 8 pick Tetairoa McMillan, who they hope fills the same role Mike Evans did for coach Dave Canales when he was coordinating the 2023 Bucs' offense. A thriving McMillan will allow all of Carolina's wideouts to drop one spot in the rotation, which would suit many of them. Looking back at the Panthers' 2024 class, I find myself more intrigued by undrafted free agent Jalen Coker than second-round pick Xavier Legette, as he averaged a respectable 1.9 yards per route run to Legette's 1.3. Outside of veteran Adam Thielen, who continues to produce at age 34, there's a lot of projection here.

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With Jonathon Brooks out for the season, the backfield will run through Chuba Hubbard, which is well-deserved. Hubbard is patient and powerful; his burst between two unblocked Cardinals defenders to score a game-winning in touchdown in overtime on his final snap of the 2024 season might have been Carolina's offensive highlight of the season. The front office did well to bring in veteran Rico Dowdle, who was a league-average starting back for the Cowboys when given the opportunity, as Hubbard's backup.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/45679684/ranking-nfl-teams-wr-te-rb-groups-2025-season-best-players-playmakers-offense

[Davidson Deac II]

The projection makes no sense.  28 last year, 31 this year?  

[countryboi]

its no way we can be 31, the running back group alone is worth top 20. this is the type of reporting that makes me lose respect for guys because it clear they are just looking at names on a sheet

[CarolinaLivin]

1 minute ago, countryboi said:

its no way we can be 31, the running back group alone is worth top 20. this is the type of reporting that makes me lose respect for guys because it clear they are just looking at names on a sheet

i dont know about top 20, but i get it the 31. Some were higher on us last year and were burnt because of it. We need to prove we are a good team, instead each year we prove we deserve to be 30-32. You want higher ratings, primetime games, or respect in general... prove it. Until then, we will continue getting this treatment. 

[countryboi]

4 minutes ago, CarolinaLivin said:

i dont know about top 20, but i get it the 31. Some were higher on us last year and were burnt because of it. We need to prove we are a good team, instead each year we prove we deserve to be 30-32. You want higher ratings, primetime games, or respect in general... prove it. Until then, we will continue getting this treatment. 

2 1000 yard rushers is clear move forward, i get the WR group is unknown but there needs to be acknowledgement that this is an improved unit. Im looking forward to showing them

[frankw]

31 is a kick in the dick. But at the end of the day the onus is on the Panthers to prove they belong in a better class of conversation.

[CanadianCat]

50 minutes ago, kungfoodude said:

Looking back at the Panthers' 2024 class, I find myself more intrigued by undrafted free agent Jalen Coker than second-round pick Xavier Legette, 

Got to love these reporters and believe everything they say... 

[CarolinaLivin]

2 minutes ago, countryboi said:

2 1000 yard rushers is clear move forward, i get the WR group is unknown but there needs to be acknowledgement that this is an improved unit. Im looking forward to showing them

That doesn't mean we are guaranteed 2k rushing yards from them two. I mean I agree we are a better team than last year, but just about every team thinks the same thing during the off-season. I hope we prove we are much better but recent history shows we are closer to 32 than 20. 

[TD alt]

1 hour ago, CanadianCat said:

Got to love these reporters and believe everything they say... 

That kind of buttresses the argument that he was simply dealing in generalities, at best really, and doesn't understand the nuances of the Panthers.

I mean, honestly, how difficult is it to get the round correct these days? It's indicative of sloppy and lazy journalism.

Edited July 8, 2025 by TD alt

[OneBadCat]

Yeah that’s bs. This group is potentially pretty damn stacked. Should at least be upper 20s.

[PanthersNCSU]

The homer in me has us closer to 25, but even then, a lot to prove. 

If our Skill positions are 31, OL lets just say 10, and QB is 25...it's going to be a long year and changes are coming (again).  If that skill position group isn't ranking around 20 next year at minimum, it probably means we're finding a new QB and coach. 

[pantherclaw]

It's July, and ain't no one going to go out on a limb for any team ir set of players they dont have personal ties to. 

[mav1234]

Given our rushing attacks rank last year and the clear upgrades behind Chuba, I really do not understand this ranking. I get out TE and WR room have a lot to prove but this seems a bit crazy

[ForJimmy]

This would mean we are flying under the radar which is what we want right?