After an eventful off-season, it’s fair to say that the Carolina Panthers are in win-now mode. During free agency, the front office went out and acquired game-changers whom they believe will make an instant impact for the team. With that being said, there are a lot of high expectations for the team heading into 2019. The squad is looking to bounce back from a 2018 campaign which ended in disaster. To make the Panthers upcoming season a success, the team will be leaning on several key players throughout the season. Today, we will be looking at five Carolina Panthers players whom the team will be leaning on the most in 2019. So, without further ado, let’s jump right into it!
Five Carolina Panthers Players Who Are X-Factors In 2019
Cam Newton
To kick this list off, let’s start with the most obvious X-Factor: Cam Newton. Newton has been a unique dual-threat quarterback since he entered the league in 2011. His unique style of both play and fashion has propelled the elite quarterback to become the most polarizing player currently on the Panthers’ roster. For the Panthers’ to win the NFC South and make a run at the Lombardi trophy in 2019, the team will need Newton to play at an MVP-type level.
Coming off an off-season where Newton underwent a shoulder procedure and had time to mature a bit, the 30-year-old is due for a comeback season. With a chip on his shoulder, Newton should come out of the gates hot for the Panthers. With a talented receiving corps and fantastic running back group surrounding Newton, the sky is the limit for the quarterback in the upcoming season. In conclusion, if the Panthers have a good season in 2019, it will likely be because of the play of Newton.
Gerald McCoy
When the Panthers signed Gerald McCoy during free agency, they put the NFL on notice. They basically announced they were in win-now mode after the star defensive end inked a one-year deal with the team. The six-time Pro-Bowler completes a Carolina defensive line which has potential to finish in the top-five next season. After consistently putting up elite numbers for the Buccaneers, McCoy will be leaned on for a lot of defensive production. The Panthers will need McCoy to continue to be a pest for opposing quarterbacks in 2019 if they plan to compete in the NFC South.
In a division full of high-level quarterbacks like Drew Brees and Matt Ryan, a team who hopes to compete for the top spot needs a super productive pass-rushing core. The Panthers believe they already have that core, and adding McCoy is their icing on the cake. Going into 2019, the Panthers will be looking for high levels of both production and leadership from the 31-year-old.
James Bradberry
Going into 2019, James Bradberry is the definite CB1. The young corner has become very good at getting a feel for some of the top receivers in the game since the team drafted him in 2016. Numerous big-time receivers, like Michael Thomas and Mike Evans, have struggled against the young, physical corner. Bradberry has increasingly become better and more confident every season since he entered the league, and the Panthers will look for 2019 to be no different.
The team will be looking to Bradberry for lots of production in the secondary, while also matching him up with the oppositions’ best wide-out. As if that isn’t’ enough already, the Panthers will be looking for Bradberry to become a veteran presence in a youth filled secondary. With all of that weight resting on Bradberry’s shoulders, the Panthers are hoping the young corner can manage the load.
Christian McCaffrey
After completing one of the best seasons in NFL history, the Panthers will be leaning heavily on Christian McCaffrey again in 2019. Much of the Panthers success in 2018 involved their running game, and fans can expect more of the same in 2019. While the team is attempting to cut down on McCaffrey’s snap count in 2019, expect the young running back to be involved in much of the offensive snaps. In the upcoming season, Panthers’ fans will get to see a second season of Norv Turner‘s offense, an offense which favors McCaffrey and his play style.
The Panthers used McCaffrey as a swiss army knife in 2018, utilizing his unique skill set in both rushing and pass-catching. With all of that being said, the Panthers are hoping to get more of the same from McCaffrey in 2019. In order for this Panthers’ roster to reach its full potential, the team will need another phenomenal season from McCaffrey.
D.J. Moore
After seeing limited playtime up until around Week Eight in 2018, then-rookie wide receiver D.J. Moore began being integrated into Norv Turner’s offense and never looked back. The Maryland product put on a show during limited playtime in 2018, leaving the Panthers hoping he can take that next step in 2019. With a healthy Cam Newton being placed under center, Moore will have an elite quarterback who is fully healthy throwing him the ball. Paired up with speedy wide-out Curtis Samuel, Moore will be apart of one of the most intriguing young receiving cores in the NFL.
With Funchess out of the picture, Moore has been thrust into the WR1 position. The Panthers will be leaning on Moore in 2019, with the team expecting him to produce like a top wide receiver. If Moore can take that next step in 2019, then the Panthers will enjoy much success thanks to the 22-year-old wide-out.
