2. Carolina Panthers
Don’t look now, but the Carolina Panthers are 6-5 and just a half game behind the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the race for the NFC South. The jury is still out on whether or not Bryce Young is a legitimate franchise quarterback, but he’s improved every year, and head coach Dave Canales has this roster playing to the best of its abilities.
The rebuild is working, and the team could continue to improve next year by signing Brandon Aiyuk. First-round pick Tetairoa McMillan has been everything the team could have hoped for, and fellow youngsters Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker appear to be reliable depth pieces. However, they could use a proven veteran to take the unit over the top, and Aiyuk is an ideal choice for the job.
