NFC South Preview: Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panthers won the NFC South last season, their third straight division title, on the way to a 15-1 regular season and Super Bowl 50 appearance. The lone regular season loss came at the hands of the Atlanta Falcons in the Georgia Dome just two weeks after the Panthers had dominated them on their home turf. As we begin our trip around the NFC South we will start in Carolina and take a close look at what to expect from the Panthers in 2016.

LAST YEAR: 15-1, NFC South (5-1) 1st Place, NFC Champions

KEY DEPARTURES: CB-Josh Norman, CB-Cortland Finnegan, CB-Charles Tillman, S-Roman Harper, WR-Jerricho Cotchery, P-Brad Nortman

KEY ADDITIONS: DT-Paul Soliai, C-Gino Gradkowski, P-Mike Scifres

DRAFT PICKS: DT-Vernon Butler, CB-James Bradberry, CB-Daryl Worley, CB-Zack Sanchez, TE-Beau Sandland

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The Panthers’ offense is expected to improve with the return of wide receiver, Kelvin Benjamin, who missed all of last year with an ACL injury. A dominate offense, led by league MVP Cam Newton, getting better is not good news for the other teams in the NFC South or the league. However, the 15-1 season from a year ago will not be repeated in part because of the defensive secondary. The Panthers have retooled the defensive backfield and will need some of their rookie draft picks to step in and provide quality defensive snaps in order to maintain their recent success.

The Panthers may be the only NFC South team that has not taken risks on high profile players or made any type of splash to improve during the offseason. In fact, they did the opposite in letting All-Pro cornerback Josh Norman walk in exchange for nothing in return. While the return of Benjamin will provide a boost to the receiving corps, the secondary could be exposed early in the year as they shore up the defense while the season progresses. That said, the Falcons, Buccaneers, and Saints haven’t improved enough to overtake the defending NFC Champions … yet.

PROJECTION: 10-6, NFC South (4-2) 1st Place

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