The Carolina Panthers will look to rebound after a 2-15 season in 2023. To do so, they’ll need big performances from key Panthers players. From the likes of Diontae Johnson to Adam Thielen, the Panthers have plenty of veteran players with experience who can guide the team. Who will come up big for the Panthers this season?
Three Key Panthers Players for 2024
The Panthers have many players who can step up this season. During the offseason, the team made a variety of moves, from draft picks to trades.
Second-year quarterback Bryce Young will look to improve his numbers after an underwhelming rookie season for the Panthers. Rookie wide receiver Xavier Legette needs to impress in his first NFL season, coming off his best college season with the University of South Carolina. Finally, running back Chuba Hubbard will look to step back into the number one role for the team in terms of rushing.
Bryce Young
Young did not live up to the expectations that the Panthers had for him in his first season. Following a fantastic career for Alabama, Young was expected to give the Panthers a much-needed lift in the 2023 season. The former Heisman winner produced low-volume numbers, both in yardage and touchdowns.
Young only managed to throw for 2,877 yards and 11 touchdowns. He struggled with a poor offensive line, which allowed him to get sacked 62 times during the season. Young did not use his legs much either, only rushing for 253 yards. He threw 10 interceptions and lost 11 fumbles, highlighting a season to forget.
In his second season, Young will need to show more of his strengths which were evident during his college career. In his final season with Alabama, Young threw for 3,328 yards and 32 touchdowns. He also only recorded five interceptions in the 2022 season. These statistics outlined why the Panthers were so keen on picking up Young in the draft.
Being a young quarterback, Young has plenty of time to grow within the NFL. But he’ll want to start making a better impression under new head coach, Dave Canales. Canales is an offensive-minded coach and has helped produce some of the best quarterback performances in tight situations. Canales and Young will work together to produce better statistics in the 2024 season.
Xavier Legette
The South Carolina wide receiver made a big impression on the Panthers this past season. With their first draft pick, the Panthers took Legette to help bolster their offense. Legette showed his versatility in his last season with the Gamecocks. He set career highs in his final season, giving the Panthers a boost in morale coming into camp.
Legette made himself known in his final season, catching 71 passes for 1,255 yards on the season. He also added seven touchdowns to the mix and had three multi-touchdown games. Legette’s strengths don’t end there. He can also work as a blocker, thanks to his height and build.
The Panthers will want to use his speed and his ability to run for yards after the catch. Legette’s strong statistic for yards after catch comes from his muscular frame that allows him to outmuscle opposing players. Legette also has incredible strength off the ball, enabling him to make contested catches.
Chuba Hubbard
Hubbard served as the Panther’s main running back in the 2023 season. Hubbard made his presence known, logging a career-high 902 yards for the offense. He added five rushing touchdowns.
Hubbard is not only a force on the ground, but he can also play as another receiver. The Panthers quarterbacks connected with Hubbard for 233 yards on 39 receptions. He’ll look to add to this volume of production on both rushing and receiving yards, as he’ll most likely be the Panthers first choice running back for the second season in a row.
With Canales as head coach, Hubbard will likely see a lot of touches on the ball again. Approaching the season with his offense in mind, the first-year head coach will use Hubbard’s experience to lead the backfield.
Panthers Outlook
Following their poor season in 2023, the Panthers will want to rebound and challenge the other NFC South teams for the title. Hoping to turn the tides in their favor, the Panthers will need to rely on players both new and old. Canales will use Young, Legette, and Hubbard as his key offensive players to gain tempo under his new system.
Main Image: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
