Carolina closed 2024 with Bryce Young surging in the final stretch, throwing multiple TDs in all three of his last games and flashing the floor-to-ceiling potential fantasy managers crave. The Panthers used the off-season to pair him with Tetairoa McMillan, a top-10 pick who could become a long-term alpha target, while veteran Adam Thielen adds reliable volume behind him. The offensive line graded better than expected, potentially lifting Carolina’s 2025 outlook on that side of the ball. On defense, the Panthers remade the unit after finishing last in points and yards allowed, dropping $132M in free agency and adding a Day 2-5 draft class to juice the front and secondary. The chatter now centers on whether the impactful moves actually translate into wins and meaningful fantasy value, with futures markets and plausible player props shaping the conversation for 2025.

Expect Carolina to be more competitive offensively in 2025, with Young’s late-season growth and McMillan’s ceiling as a true No. 1-like option pairing. Thielen should still command solid targets as a reliable secondary option, while the revamped defense aims to climb from the league’s worst marks. The schedule looks favorable early for a unit that needs time to gel, and the betting market reflects a more optimistic ceiling than a year ago. For fantasy, Young’s rushing presence and TD upside keep him intriguing, while McMillan’s rookie path and Thielen’s steadiness offer compelling downside/upside plays in single-season formats.

Houston's practice on Wednesday was intentionally light as the Texans brace for a joint session with the Panthers, designed to stress mental checks and new schemes rather than tempo. Nick Caley’s offense will meet unfamiliar fronts for the first time, testing the unit’s ability to communicate and adjust on the fly.

Thursday’s joint practice will be full bore, with Carolina’s 3-4 front providing a true test for C.J. Stroud and the offense, including rookie Aireontae Ersery who will see extended reps against Carolina’s first string. Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter will again be in the spotlight as Houston looks to pressure Bryce Young while evaluating depth pieces on both sides of the ball. The Texans will also test their secondary depth with Calen Bullock, M.J. Stewart, Russ Yeast and Myles Bryant, alongside Jalen Mills who joined the defense to help weather injuries.

Head coach DeMeco Ryans stressed keeping the work productive and safe, aiming to gain meaningful insight from the Panthers’ contrasting look and Bryce Young’s development. The showdown with a different scheme is viewed as a critical learning step that could influence late-season preparation and fantasy considerations as Houston navigates a deeper, more varied evaluation window.

The Carolina Panthers are gearing up for an important training camp, focusing on their defensive line's depth and potential. With Derrick Brown recovering from a knee injury which sidelined him for most of last season, the team aims to avoid a repeat of last year's struggles against the run, where they allowed an average of 179.8 rushing yards per game.

Joining Brown in the defensive front are new acquisitions A'Shawn Robinson and Tershawn Wharton, who will provide much-needed reinforcements. Shy Tuttle is expected to remain a key player, though he faces competition from younger talents like Cam Jackson and Jaden Crumedy, both of whom showed promise in limited action last season. The camp will feature critical battles, particularly between Tuttle and Jackson, as they vie for playing time behind the established starters.

The Carolina Panthers are making headlines in ESPN's early 2026 NFL mock draft by potentially breaking a 30-year tradition of not selecting players from Clemson University. According to analyst Matt Miller, the Panthers, currently positioned to pick 6th overall, are slated to draft Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods. This choice comes after a surprising decision last year to prioritize a wide receiver over defensive needs, highlighting a continued focus on building their defensive line around Derrick Brown.

Woods, a 6-foot-3, 315-pound talent, has demonstrated impressive statistics with three sacks and 17 pressures in the previous season. His quickness and leverage are expected to bolster Carolina's revamped defense, which has already seen the addition of former Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman Tershawn Wharton on a three-year contract. The Panthers appear committed to strengthening their defensive unit, which struggled last season.