Most Valuable Player/Best Player: RB Christian McCaffrey.
Coming off a historic 2019 season, I think McCaffrey’s numbers will decrease but only slightly; Christian will still be an All-Pro and be in the running for OPOTY once again.
Most Overrated: S Justin Burris.
The Panthers drafted DB Jeremy Chinn Jr. In the second round and during training camp/preseason i can see Chinn Jr. easily beating him out for the starting Strong Safety spot. I don’t trust Burris in run defence or pass defence right now, now he could change my mind but i would rather want the young development player to start.
Most Underrated: WR Curtis Samuel.
If Teddy can complete even half the missed deep ball throws Kyle Allen had missed in 2019, Samuel will still have a very sold underrated season, I’m predicting around 60 combined touches for 750+ yards and 11 total touchdowns.
Key New Addition: DT Derrick Brown.
The seventh overall pick Derrick Brown will make the most day one impact on the defensive line and in 2020 we should see the run defence improve greatly from almost dead last in 2019.
Key Loss in Free Agency: DE Mario Addison.
With long time Panther Mario Addison now on to the Buffalo Bills, I can see Carolina struggle to get a consistent Pass rush from anyone but Brian Burns, leading to a lot of double teams on him and Kawann Short.
Biggest Surprise: QB Teddy Bridgewater.
A lot of people have almost completely ruled Teddy Bridgewater playing well in 2020, saying because of him the team will finish 3-13 or worse. The Teddy Bridgewater that I seen with New Orleans in 2019, if he plays near that level, he could play the team to a 6-10/7-9 record.
Takes the Biggest Leap: DE Brian Burns.
Brian Burns will need to take this leap forward with Mario Addison’s production now gone, i believe that he will have atleast 9 sacks, 12 TFL, and be an absolute force against opposing Right Tackles in 2020.
Prove It Year: CB Donte Jackson.
There isn’t anyone else that needs to prove that he can be an outside cornerback more than Donte, he hasn’t shown he can yet, flashing his talent but the limitations in his technique have held him back. With new defensive coordinators and other coaching changes, now in his third season, I’m hoping they can help Jackson really tap into that potential we all had seen in 2018.
Written by: Colin Massey
@carolinapantherscanada
