Carolina overhauled its front seven with multiple picks and free-agent adds to boost the rush and run defense, but the middle remains thin after Josey Jewell was released while still in concussion protocol. That hole shows up early as the Panthers try to pressure passers while dealing with a still-developing secondary.

Tight-end coverage is a liability, with miscommunications allowing easy TDs to uncovered targets like Hunter Long, and Rozeboom’s attempts to organize traffic didn’t translate on the field. Facing Pitts/Ottton levels of talent could doom the defense on big days.

Fantasy implications center on Bryce Young and rookies Nic Scourton and Tetairoa McMillan—plus run-game work for Chuba Hubbard—as Week 1 provides a telling test of the Panthers’ new approach and whether the upgraded front can cover up the gaps.

Drake London ascends as the NFC TD leader trajectory hinges on Michael Penix Jr.’s Falcons debut. Penix-London chemistry blossomed in three games, yielding two multi-TD performances and a red-zone rapport that could redefine Atlanta’s passing game. Leonard Floyd anchors Atlanta’s defense, while rookie pass-rushers in Walker and Pearce Jr. face a learning curve. Atlanta opens 3-0, while two NFC playoff teams—Tampa Bay and Minnesota—enter Week 1 with health advantages, setting up a volatile, high-variance season for fantasy owners.

London’s leap pairs with Penix to amplify Falcons’ aerial upside, Floyd’s sack production could buoy a modest defensive return, and the Vikings’ Addison returns from suspension to test NFC ceilingbacks. Carolina’s Nic Scourton on the Panthers’ edge adds another wrinkle to the league’s most intriguing Falcons storyline of 2025.

Carolina faces a defensive rebuild after last year’s historic struggles, but Derrick Brown’s return anchors a revamped line that also features multiple free-agent signees and several rookies. If the newcomers adapt quickly, the Panthers could flip from the league’s worst run defense to something closer to mediocre in 2025, with veteran Adam Thielen adding steadying depth to an offense that can relieve pressure on a thinner defense.

Brown’s presence matters, but it won’t single-handedly fix a leaky unit. The success hinges on how quickly Tetairoa McMillan, Lathan Ransom, Princely Umanmielen, and Nic Scourton contribute, plus how Moehrig, Rozeboom and Wharton perform alongside the new linemen. For fantasy, it’s a nuanced mix: Brown remains a stalwart, while the value of Panthers defenders and receivers grows with improved team efficiency.

Carolina faces a 53-man decision with the kicker spot unsettled and two promising rookies nursing injuries as cut day looms. Moton’s two-year extension locks in a steady left side, while Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen battle for scarce reps behind the top receivers. Week 1 against Jacksonville will hinge on how quickly Carolina reshapes depth and special-teams roles in the wake of preseason setbacks.

Expect rapid, post-deadline moves as teams juggle IR designations and reserve roles. Late changes can unlock sleepers or force risky bets in fantasy lineups, especially at WR, OL, and return duties. The opener against the Jaguars will act as a real-time gauge of roster construction and fantasy upside.

Live roster churn could create surprise opportunities for Panthers players in the early weeks, with depth-chart shifts potentially elevating a few players into fantasy relevance even before the first official Week 1 snap.

Carolina Panthers rookie Princely Umanmielen exited Thursday night’s preseason finale with a shoulder injury. Initial X-rays were negative, and an MRI was set for Friday to determine the extent and return timeline. The update matters for fantasy watchers who track Panthers edge depth and pass-rush potential as the team builds its roster and rotation behind Mattabry Smith and others. The injury comes amid Panthers roster concerns at the position, with Day 2 pick Nic Scourton already sidelined by a collapsed lung from a recent joint practice with Houston. Darnell Washington of Pittsburgh, a towering presence at tight end, is noted for his blocking caliber, a reminder of how matchups could shape both teams’ schemes early in the season. Any MRI findings could keep the Panthers lean on veteran depth and push younger players into quicker evaluation.