MORSE: Get to Know the Carolina Panthers – Week 4 Preview
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The Carolina Panthers are a team you know nothing about. The average fan can’t name 5 players in their starting lineup. Do you even know who the coach is in Carolina? Head Coach Dave Canales, spent 13 years in various Offensive Coaching roles with Seattle and then became the Tampa Bay’s Offensive Coordinator in 2023. He was hired last season and improved the Carolina Panthers from a 2-15 team to 5-12.
This from Warren Sharp “The Panthers hired Dave Canales last offseason due to his involvement in the resurgence of Geno Smith’s and Baker Mayfield’s careers. Hoping to max out the same type of development for Bryce Young following a disastrous rookie campaign, things got off to a rocky start. Young was benched after two games into the 2024 season, and it appeared that the No. 1 overall pick was heading towards being sunk cost.
Young regained the starting job and gave Carolina some promise that there is still something Canales can mold moving forward. Over the final 10 weeks of the season, Young threw 15 touchdowns to 6 interceptions. He threw multiple touchdowns in each of the season’s final three games. His big time throw rate (7.7%) per Pro Football Focus was tops in the NFL. There is still considerable room for growth, but a positive momentum is in place to build upon”.
Offense 3WR 1TE
| Starter | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | |
| QB | Bryce Young | Andy Dalton | – | – |
| RB | Chuba Hubbard Q | Rico Dowdle | Trevor Etienne | Jonathon Brooks O |
| WR | Tetairoa McMillan | David Moore | Dalevon Campbell | |
| WR | Hunter Renfrow | Brycen Tremayne | Jalen Coker IR | – |
| WR | Xavier Legette Q | Jimmy Horn | – | – |
| TE | Ja’Tavion Sanders D | Tommy Tremble | Mitchell Evans | James Mitchell |
| LT | Ikem Ekwonu | Yosh Nijman | Brady Christensen | |
| LG | Damien Lewis | – | – | |
| C | Cade Mays | Nick Samac | Austin | |
| RG | Chandler Zavala | Robert Hunt IR | Corbett IR | |
| RT | Taylor Moton | Yosh Nijman | – |
How bad was Young’s rookie season? These stats are courtesy of Warren Sharp. Bryce Young had the worst rookie season in 2023 of any rookie QB that had 300 attempts. In the last decade, Young was ranked 25th of 26 QBs on EPA. In the last 25 years, 49th of 50 on EPA, 44 of 50 on Yards per Attempt, and 46th of 50 in Success Rate.
The Panthers traded WR DJ Moore, two 1st round picks and two 2nd round selection for the right to draft the wrong QB #1. They would have been better off taking CJ Stroud.
Young is ranked as the #26 QB in the league. Thanks to his defense pitching a shutout and a ground game that mustered 110 yards, Young didn’t have to do a whole lot in Sunday’s 30-0 shutout win over the Atlanta Falcons.
Young was 16-of-24 for 121 yards and no touchdowns. Funny when you consider that his 328 yards and three TDs weren’t enough in a Week 2 loss to Arizona. But sometimes, the cookie crumbles in your favor. The Panthers will not have that kind of success against the #2 ranked Patriots Run Defense.
Chuba Hubbard has been a very good back for the Panthers. Hubbard ranked #9 out of 46 RBs in EPA and #11 in success rate, generating the #7 most yards after contact per rush of 46 RBs. The 6’1”, 210-pound back played at Oklahoma State and was taken by Carolina in the 2021 Draft 4th round (126). Last season he established himself as one of the best backs in the league with 250 carries for 1195 yards, 4.8 YPC and 10 TDs. However, he has yet to score a TD this season. Hubbard was limited in practice on Thursday with a Calf injury.
Rico Dowdle came over from Dallas in Free Agency. Don’t sleep on this guy. He had 235 carries for 1079 yards, 4.6 YPC, and 2 TDs for Dallas last season. He was the go-to back in Dallas last year, contributing 39 receptions for 249 yards, 6.4 YPC, and 3 TDs. Not bad for 2020 UDFA. Trevor Etienne provides a good backup if Hubbard can’t go.
Tetairoa McMillan is the big name in the Panthers passing game. The rookie was drafted in the 1st round (8) out of Arizona. The 6’5”, 212-pound receiver presents a larger target. So far in 2025 he has established himself as the prime target. He has 14 receptions on 27 targets, slightly over 50%. McMillan Did Not Practice on Wednesday with a calf injury. Head Coach Dave Canales labeled him day-to-day.
Hunter Renfroe, a player the Patriots should have drafted, is second on the team with 11 catches on 19 targets. The diminutive 5’10”, 185-pound slot receiver out of Clemson was drafted in the 2019 Draft 5th round (149) by Las Vegas. Renfroe stated before the draft that he wanted to get drafted by the Patriots. The Panthers thought enough of the WR core that they traded Adam Theilen back to the Vikings. Xavier Legette is the #2 receiver. He was taken by Carolina in the 1st Round (32) of the 2024 Draft. They traded up to get ahead of the Patriots who were also trying to trade for the chance to take Legette. For the season he has 4 catches on 15 targets. Some have labeled him as a bust already. He Did Not Participate in Wednesday or Thursday’s practices with a Hamstring injury.
Jalen Coker is on IR and they miss him. The 6’3” 213-pound receiver played at Holy Cross. Hubbard has 10 catches out of the backfield. Brycen Tremaine is the third WR now.
Ja’Tavion Sanders is the number 1 TE, but he is listed as Doubtful already for the game Sunday. He was also listed as Did Not Practice with a Hamstring injury in Wednesday and Thursday’s Injury Report. The 6’4” 252-pound TE was drafted in the 4th round (101) out of Texas in the 2024 Draft. He has 11 receptions on 14 targets. His backup is veteran Tommy Tremble who has 6 receptions on 6 targets.
The Panthers offensive line is now the #1 most expensive in the NFL this season! Ikem Ekwonu at Left Tackle was a 1st round #6 pick of Carolina in the 2022 Draft. The 6’4”, 320-pound Tackle out of North Carolina State was a unanimous All-American. He has a 64.6 PFF rating good for 36th amongst all Tackles. Left Guard is manned by Damien Lewis the 6’2”, 327-pound lineman out of LSU. Lewis was a Free Agent acquisition from Seattle in 2024. His PFF rating is 60.1, good for 39th amongst Guards.
Center is Cade Mays who played for both Georgia and Tennessee. The 6’6”, 325-pound Center was taken in the 2022 draft by Carolina in the 6th Round (199). He was let go before the 2024 season and spent time with New York Giants in Training Camp. He was cut and claimed by Carolina and now he is the starter at Center. He has only started 15 games in his career. His PFF rating is 63.9 which is 17th amongst all Centers.
Right Guard is Chandler Zavala out of North Carolina State. The 6’5” 322-pound Guard was taken in the 4th round (114) in the 2022 draft by Carolina. His PFF rating is 47.1, 80th amongst all Guards, however his Pass Blocking grade is a paltry 27.1. The Patriots interior lineman should have a field day with him.
Taylor Moton has played his entire career with Carolina since being drafted in the 2017 draft 2nd round (64). The 8-year veteran just signed a $44M contract extension to keep him with Carolina through 2027. That is a pretty good contract for a player that has never received any all-league honors. The 6’5”, 325-pound Right Tackle has a PFF rating of 73.1, good for 21st amongst all the Tackles. This should be a good matchup between Harold Landry and Moton.
The Offensive line is ranked tied for 8th, giving up 5 sacks on the season. They have run the ball 74 times for 272 yards, a 3.7 average. They are just behind the Dolphins who rushed for a 5.2 YPC. The Patriots shut down the Dolphins in Miami.
Defense 3-4
| LDE | A’Shawn Robinson | Tershawn Wharton Q | Popo Aumavae IR |
| NT | Bobby Brown | Cam Jackson | |
| RDE | Derrick Brown | Jaden Crumedy | LaBryan Ray IR |
| WLB | Patrick Jones Q | Princely Umanmielen | Thomas Incoom |
| LILB | Christian Rozeboom | Bam Martin-Scott | Maema Njongmeta |
| RILB | Trevin Wallace | Claudin Cherelus | – |
| SLB | D.J. Wonnum Q | Nic Scourton | DJ Johnson |
| LCB | Mike Jackson | Akayleb Evans | Damarri Mathis IR |
| SS | Tre’von Moehrig | Lathan Ransom | |
| FS | Nick Scott | Demani Richardson | |
| RCB | Jaycee Horn | Corey Thornton | |
| NB | Chau Smith-Wade | – |
How did the Panthers shut out the Falcons at home last week? Their defense is not that good. They rank 21st giving up 334.3 yards per game. They are 12th in Pass Defense and 28th against the run, giving up 137.7 yards a game.
The Panthers Front 7 can’t rush the passer.
A’Shawn Robinson starts at LDE. The 6’3”, 320-pound end from Alabama was drafted by Detroit in the 2016 Draft in the 2nd round (46). Thru 3 games he has no Sacks, 1 QB Hit and 8 Hurries. His PFF Grade is 71.5, 35th amongst all DTs. Bobby Brown is the Nose Tackle. The 6’4”, 324-pound NT from Texas A&M was drafted in the 2021 Draft 4th round (118) by LA Rams. Thru 3 games he has no Sacks and only 1 Hurry. His PFF grade is 53.6 which is 114th for DTs. Derrick Jones is a stud D-lineman. In 2023 Jones was selected to the Pro Bowl. The 6’5”, 320-pound DT played at Auburn and was selected in the 1st round (11) of the 2020 Draft by Carolina. In 2019 he was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Year. Thru 3 games he has no Sacks, 2 QB Hits and 1 Hurry. His PFF rating is an outstanding 81 which ranks him #11 amongst DTs.
Patrick Jones missed last week’s game versus Atlanta with a Hamstring injury. He is listed as Questionable for this week and missed Wednesday and Thursday’s Practices. I don’t expect the 6’4” 264-pound LB to play this week. The Pittsburgh grad was drafted in the 2nd round (90) of the 2021 draft by Minnesota. He carries a 55.3 grade from PFF which is 120th of LBs. His replacement is likely to be Princely Umanmielen. The 6’4“ 255-pound rookie out of Florida and Ole Miss was drafted this year in the 3rd round (77). In three games he has one sack, 0 QB Hits and 3 Hurries. His PFF grade is 50.1, 132nd amongst all LBs. At Mississippi last season he was selected 1st Team All-SEC with 10.5 sacks.
DJ Wonnum is their best Edge player, but he has missed both Wednesday and Thursday’s practices with a Hamstring injury and is unlikely to play Sunday. His replacement is rookie Nic Scourton. The 2025 2nd round (51) selection stands 6’4”, 285-pounds. He played collegiately at Texas A&M. In the three games played he has 0 Sacks, o QB Hits and 2 Hurries. His PFF grade is 62.5 good for 79th for the Edge players.
The Panther’s secondary is pretty good. LCB is Mike Jackson. The 6’1”, 210-pound CB out of Miami (FL) was a 2019 draft pick in the 5th round (158) by Dallas. His PFF Grade is 75.5 god for 19th. Tre’von Moerhrig came over from las Vegas in Free Agency. The 6’2” 202-pound SS was drafted in 2021 out of TCU by the Raiders. His PFF grade is 52.4, good for 101st amongst safeties. The Free Safety is Nick Scott. The 5’11” 200-pound S played at Penn State and was taken in the 2019 Draft in the 7th round (243) by the Rams. His PFF grade is 62.5, good for 66th.
Jaycee Horn is a tough CB. The 6’1” 200-pound CB out of South Carolina was a 2019 draft selection in the 1st Round (8) by Carolina. His PFF Grade is 71, good for 32nd. At the Nickel back position is Chau Smith-Wade. The 5’11” 176-pound DB played at Washington State. He was selected by Carolina in the 5th round (158) of the 2024 Draft. His PFF grade is 65.3 good for 56th.
Special Teams
| Starter | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | |
| PK | Ryan Fitzgerald | – | – | – |
| P | Sam Martin | – | – | – |
| H | Sam Martin | – | – | – |
| PR | Trevor Etienne | David Moore | Jimmy Horn | – |
| KR | Trevor Etienne | Rico Dowdle | David Moore | Jimmy Horn |
| LS | JJ Jansen |
The Panthers employ an unique kick within the new rules for kickoffs. They hit a knuckle ball that when it hits the ground, bounces weirdly all over the place. This has resulted in fumbled kickoffs and low percentage of returns. Icker Ryan Fitzgerald has made all five of his FG tries and is perfect 5 for 5 on Extra Points.
Sam Martin handles the punting duties. He is averaging only 40 yards per kick Net Average which is slightly below league average. However, he leads the league in punts inside the 20-yard line at 71%. Trevor Etienne handles both the Kickoffs and Punt Returns. He is not good at either through 3 games. He has only returned 3 punts for a 4.0 average per return. On kickoffs he is ranked 37th, with a 22.0-yard average per return.
OG Thayer Mumford was poached by the Cleveland Browns off the Patriots Practice Squad. He is the second player they lost this week. I am angry at losing two players this week. The Patriots have a open roster spot and could have prevented these losses. The Patriots lost LB Mark Robinson earlier in the week when he signed with the Jets. Robinson was elevated from the Practice Squad for all three games and couldn’t have been elevated again this season. If he was good enough to play on 4 Special Team units in those 3 games, why wasn’t he signed to the open roster spot? Good for Robinson and Mumford for getting on a 53-man roster for at least 3 games.
TE Gee Scott was added to the Practice Squad. He spent all Training Camp with the team as an UDFA from Ohio State. Additionally, the Patriots announced they have added OG Royce Newman. The 6’5”, 310-pound lineman played collegiately for 5 years in the SEC at Mississippi. Drafted in the 2021 Draft 4th round (142) by Green Bay, he played three years for Green Bay and another season for Tampa Bay. In his career he has 24 starts at Guard. Played Tackle for Rebels at nearly 6’6” which is exceptionally tall for a Guard. Finishes and doesn’t quit; competitor with a positive attitude and leadership traits that coaches admire.
Keep in mind that Drake Maye started in just 13 games, that excludes getting knocked out of the Jets game in the 1st quarter with a concussion and playing just one series in the season finale against the Bills last season. He didn’t play his senior year in High School because the season was eliminated due to COVID. He red-shirted as a Freshman at North Carolina and started two seasons there. In his 4 seasons, he has had 4 different Offensive Coordinators. When he arrived in the Patriots Training Camp last season he had a tremendous number of flaws. Until he played in an NFL game, he had never taken a snap under center.
This season Maye ranks 15th in ESPN’s QB Rating metrics. He is 5th in passing Yards, 7th in Passing TDs and 8th in EPA. According to Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald, Maye has been decisive and has thrown with anticipation. Evan Lazar of Patriots.com points out that Maye has been 7th in Success Rate and 5th in Completion % Above Expectation.
The best though is the comparison that Nick Cattles provided on his Locked On Patriots podcast. He compared Josh Allen to Drake Maye through the first 11 games they played.
| Player | Comp % | Yards | TD | INT | Fumbles | QB Rating |
| Allen | 53.4% | 2000 | 10 | 12 | 8 | 68.5 |
| Maye | 67.2 % | 2245 | 13 | 8 | 4 | 83.4 |
Over the first 3 games of their sophomore season, these are the stats.
| Player | Comp % | Yards | TD | INT | Fumbles | QB Rating |
| Allen | 64.1 | 754 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 83.4 |
| Maye | 72.6 | 785 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 101.6 |
I am not going to say that Maye is going to be as good as Allen, but he is trending upward. I will also add that Allen had the benefit of having the same Offensive Coordinator his first two seasons and an Offensive Line that was near the top of the league as opposed to the Swiss cheese that Maye has had his first 11 starts.
Maye has been sacked at the 2nd highest rate through 3 games. Greg Bedard of Boston Sports Journal pointed out that Maye was near flawless in the 2nd half Sunday until he made the unwise decision to try and do too much, and fumbled when attempting to make a shuffle pass.
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Right on with Maye and patience. Couple his youth and inexperience coming into the NFL with having to learn a new & complicated offense, and you should expect he’ll continue to make some mistakes. To me, he’s playing well beyond and above where most QBs would be in his situation. People in the media were tagging Josh Allen a bust in his 3rd year. All these QB situations in the league are not the same regarding the QBs college experience relative to the NFL system they land in. Many QBs need a year and others need 3 years. Some more.… Read more »