There’s a lot to like about this 2021 Carolina Panthers roster. Their defense is trending in the right direction, the skill positions are deep and the overall outlook is definitely better than at this time last year. All that being said, where it really counts this group still comes up short. Carolina will be starting an as-yet unproven quarterback who will be throwing behind what might be one of the NFL’s worst offensive lines in a division where they’re easily the weakest team on paper.
Looking ahead, it’s tough to see the Panthers competing in the playoffs in the coming years unless major changes are made. In ESPN’s future power rankings which were released today, Carolina came in at No. 23.
ESPN identified the team’s biggest worry as Darnold.
“In trading for Darnold, the Panthers are betting that Darnold’s situation was the cause of his poor production. Darnold’s statistics certainly don’t compel confidence on their surface. He ranked dead last in QBR among qualifiers last season and has never finished better than 25th in the category.”
Not ideal.
ESPN ranked the Panthers’ QB situation and Overall roster No. 26, dragging down their total score to an “average” 72.3. On the bright side, they got much better ranks for Coaching (No. 16) and Front office (No. 19).
Head coach Matt Rhule and general manager Scott Fitterer appear to know what they’re doing, but making this team as presently constructed into a contender will require some real genius.
