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NFL
Panthers roster ranked surprisingly low compared to rest of NFL
TL;DR
The Carolina Panthers' roster has been ranked 25th in the NFL despite offseason improvements. Analysts remain skeptical about the team's competitiveness, citing weaknesses in key positions.
Key points
- Carolina Panthers ranked 25th in NFL roster rankings
- Analysts skeptical despite offseason improvements
- Top three teams are Rams, Seahawks, and Bills
Carolina PanthersLos Angeles RamsSeattle SeahawksBuffalo Bills
The Carolina Panthers supposedly won the offseason, with one analyst describing it as a "monster" showing, and Pro Football Focus going so far as to name them "offseason champions."
Despite all the evident improvements, some analysts and models remain completely unconvinced that this team is anything but a pushover that won a bad division.
The Athletic has a new projection model out that ranks all 32 rosters around the NFL. The Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks and Buffalo Bills took the top three spots, but the Panthers roster only came in at 25th:
The Panthers might pick up Bryce Young's inexpensive fifth-year option, but I'm almost certain he's not worthy of a long-term contract... Their wide receivers and offensive tackles are in solid shape with young talent. But their edge rushers and defensive line rank 23rd and 19th, respectively — that's not going to get it done. Even though the cornerbacks room (No. 8) is strong, it won't matter much given the state of that pass rush.
While there are some fair points made here, ranking Carolina's roster 25th is entirely too harsh—even if you think outside linebacker Jaelen Phillips will never get another sack again. Nic Scourton flashed a ton of potential as a rookie and should help boost the Panthers' pass rush—and if can follow suit, it will be a far better dynamic.
Q&A
Why are the Carolina Panthers ranked 25th in the NFL roster rankings?
The Panthers are ranked 25th due to concerns about their edge rushers and defensive line, which are ranked 23rd and 19th, respectively.
Who are the top three ranked NFL teams according to the new projection model?
The top three ranked teams are the Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, and Buffalo Bills.
What improvements did the Carolina Panthers make during the offseason?
The Panthers made significant improvements, particularly in their wide receivers and offensive tackles, but analysts doubt their overall competitiveness.