Panthers HC Dave Canales said Wednesday that WR Diontae Johnson will be featured in the offense.
The Panthers acquired WR Diontae Johnson and a seventh-round pick from the Steelers in exchange for CB Donte Jackson and a sixth-rounder, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports. It's a relatively cheap price to pay for a guy with 332 catches over the past four seasons. Johnson's production has largely been volume-based, though. His 6.7 yards per target over those last four years ranks 67th among 71 WRs with 200+ total targets during that stretch. Johnson didn't rank better 23rd in yards per route in any of those seasons. That said, he immediately becomes the Panthers' clear No. 1 WR. And Carolina figures to throw it a bunch more than the Arthur Smith-led Steelers. QB play is a concern, of course, after Bryce Young's ugly rookie season. But the move is still a win for Johnson's 2024 fantasy value. In Pittsburgh, meanwhile, George Pickens will likely get a crack at No. 1 WR duties. The Steelers will certainly be adding to the WR corps this offseason, though. And Arthur Smith's run-heavy offense will keep Pickens' upside capped.
The Panthers are making a surprise choice in hiring former Buccaneers OC Dave Canales as HC, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Canales arrives after spending just one year with the Bucs. But that season seems to have revived QB Baker Mayfield's career. Overall, the Bucs ranked just 20th in points, 23rd in total yards, tied for 19th in yards per play, and 20th in offensive DVOA. Before that, Canales spent 13 years coaching offense in Seattle, including three years as WRs coach, five as QBs coach, and two as passing-game coordinator. Canales drew praise for his role in QB Geno Smith's 2022 breakout. His work with Smith and Mayfield almost certainly excited the Panthers, who likely envision Canales as the guy to help QB Bryce Young rebound from a troubling rookie season. Of course, Canales goes from QBs coach for Smith and OC for Mayfield to HC in Carolina. So be careful about assuming too much from his influence. We'll see who Canales brings in to fill out his coaching staff and what the Panthers can add to an offense that sported unimpressive talent in 2023 (and doesn't have a 2024 first-round pick). This seems like a positive move for Young's dynasty outlook, but temper your excitement.
The Panthers fired HC Frank Reich. He didn't even make it a full season in Carolina, going 1-10 in his 11 games. An offensive-minded coach, Reich's Panthers offense sits 30th in yards per game, 29th in points per game, and 31st in offensive DVOA. A poor group of skill-position players didn't help the cause, but Reich did very little to elevate the offense or rookie QB Bryce Young. Special teams coordinator Chris Tabor will finish out the season as interim HC, while OC Thomas Brown takes back over as play-caller. We'll see if the moves lead to any changes in player usage, but don't expect the offense to be noticeably better.
Panthers WR Adam Thielen caught only 1 of 3 targets for 2 yards in Sunday's loss to the Titans. Tennessee refused to let Thielen beat them, which easily resulted in his worst game as a Panther. Bryce Young fired off 31 passes, so Thielen's target share of 9.6% fell well shy of his average (27.9%). Week 13 turns up a bounce-back spot at Tampa Bay. But that’s the last favorable spot on his schedule until Week 17 at Jacksonville.
Panthers WR Adam Thielen hauled in 8 of 11 targets for 87 receiving yards in Week 11’s loss vs. the Cowboys. The veteran embodied one of the few aspects of Carolina’s offense that worked in the 33-10 blowout and accounted for 33.1% of the Panthers’ total offensive yards in the contest. This performance just goes to show fantasy managers that Thielen should remain in lineups even though his real-life team is struggling. With his pair of “dud” games in Week 9-10 behind him, it’s important to remember that Thielen has recorded at least 7 catches and 50 receiving yards in seven of 10 games played in 2023. Don’t be afraid to fire him up again in Week 12 vs. the Titans.
Panthers WR Adam Thielen caught 6 of 10 targets for 42 receiving yards in Week 10 vs. the Bears. The veteran’s performance on Thursday was a touch disappointing, though he posted 100% route participation and held 100% snap share in the contest. His efforts certainly weren’t for a lack of opportunity. But fantasy managers should be wary of Thielen’s opponent next week as well. The Panthers will be taking on a Cowboys defense that ranks as the fifth-toughest WR matchup per our adjusted fantasy points allowed and sixth in pass defense DVOA this season.
Panthers WR D.J. Chark (elbow) missed practice all week and is listed as doubtful for Thursday night's game vs. the Bears. His absence should elevate WR Terrace Marshall into a top-3 role. When Chark missed Week 1, Marshall ran a route on 96% of Carolina's pass plays and drew six targets for a 15.8% share. He turned that action into just two catches for 23 yards, though, and is really only in play in one-game DFS contests. Chark's absence could mean an extra target or two for WRs Adam Thielen and Jonathan Mingo.
Panthers WR Adam Thielen ended Week 8’s contest vs. the Texans with 8 catches on 11 targets for a team-leading 72 receiving yards. The veteran has now exceeded the 70-yard mark for a fifth-straight game. His teammate Jonathan Mingo also had a fine outing, tallying 62 yards on 4 catches on Sunday. Thielen belongs entrenched in fantasy lineups as long as continues to dominate.
Panthers HC Frank Reich told his players Monday that he's handing over play-calling duties to OC Thomas Brown, NFL Network reports. The move comes as Carolina heads into a Week 7 bye. That should help with the transition, which has been rumored to be on the way since before this season started. Brown was a trendy head-coaching candidate last offseason but is in his first year as an NFL OC. So it's tough to know what to expect here. Brown did spend his first three NFL coaching seasons on Sean McVay's offensive staff, though. And it's hard to imagine the Panthers getting much less efficient on offense. They sit third-worst so far at 4.4 yards per play and third-worst in net yards per pass attempt. We'll see whether the switch produces any noticeable boost to offensive efficiency and/or fantasy upside.
Panthers WR Adam Thielen stayed hot on Sunday, snagging 11 of 13 targets for 115 yards. He added his fourth TD over the past five weeks. Thielen did most of his damage in the first half, where he scored on an end zone ball from 8 yards out. The former Viking has now tallied 15+ PPR points in five straight. He’ll remain a must-start following a Week 7 bye.
Panthers WR Adam Thielen posted a team-leading 107 yards with a TD on 10 catches in Week 5 vs. the Lions. Fellow wideout D.J. Chark also found the end zone in the contest, but it’s rookie WR Jonathan Mingo that deserves a shoutout here. Mingo ranked second on the team in targets (7) and posted a season-high 48 receiving yards in the contest. Thielen is the only Panthers’ pass-catcher we’d be excited to start in Week 6 vs. the Dolphins, but Mingo is a name to keep an eye on in redraft leagues.
Panthers WR Adam Thielen snagged 7 receptions for 76 yards in Sunday's loss to the Vikings. He trailed Terrace Marshall in targets (10-8) and catches but led the team in receiving yards. It was Thielen's third straight game with at least 7 receptions, despite two straight QB switches thanks to Bryce Young's ankle injury (and return). Thielen should remain a WR3 option for visits to Detroit and Miami the next two weeks. We'll see whether the team adds anyone significant at the position. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that Carolina is shopping for WR help. D.J. Chark managed just 2 receptions for 28 yards on 3 targets against the Vikings.
Panthers QB Bryce Young (ankle) put in a full week of practice and isn't listed on the final injury report. He'll be back under center for Sunday's game vs. the Vikings. Young has mustered just 4.2 yards per attempt so far this season and is just a low-end QB2 for Week 4, despite the plus matchup. Consider Young a slight downgrade from QB Andy Dalton for Carolina's pass catchers.
Panthers QB Bryce Young (ankle) was listed as a full participant in Wednesday's practice. That should put him on track to return for this weekend's game vs. the Vikings. Young still has plenty of long-term upside but has struggled so far, completing 59% of his passes at 4.2 yards per attempt. He looks like at least a minor downgrade from QB Andy Dalton.
Panthers WR Adam Thielen racked up an 11-145-1 receiving line in Sunday's loss to the Seahawks. Carolina went surprisingly pass-heavy, attempting 58 throws (plus 3 sacks) vs. just 14 rushing attempts. Thielen drew 24.1% of fill-in QB Andy Dalton's pass attempts and produced 40.2% of the receiving yardage. Thielen now has 18 catches over the past two games after a quiet opener. Don't be surprised if he sits among the top 30 wideouts in our Week 4 rankings, for a matchup with his old team, the Vikings. WR D.J. Chark ranked second among Panthers in targets (11) and receiving yards (86) against Seattle. He managed just 4 receptions, though, and did most of his damage on a 47-yard catch-and-run TD. Terrace Marshall posted a 5-35 receiving line on 8 targets, in a game WR Jonathan Mingo left with a concussion.
Panthers QB Bryce Young (ankle) is not expected to play vs. the Seahawks this weekend, the team announced. That'll leave QB Andy Dalton under center, which might actually be an upgrade at this point. Young has struggled mightily so far, completing 59% of his passes and averaging 4.2 yards per attempt. Dalton played well for New Orleans last year, finishing with a 67% completion rate and 7.6 yards per attempt. Hopefully you're not relying too much on this passing game in fantasy lineups, but WR Adam Thielen and TE Hayden Hurst remain fine lower-end plays.
Panthers WR Adam Thielen (ankle) is active for today’s game vs. the Falcons. He only got in limited practices on Wednesday and Friday and was listed as questionable. It’s safe to assume that Thielen won’t be operating at 100% in this one, leaving him as a shaky fantasy bet.
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