The preseason is rapidly, mercifully approaching its end. We are deep in Draft Season and Belly Up Fantasy Sports is previewing each NFL team’s fantasy prospects. We’re giving you all the intel you need to dominate your draft and win your league. We’re in the Queen City this time, taking a look at the 2022 Carolina Panthers.

Note: All 2021 fantasy point totals and rankings are PPR unless otherwise noted.

2022 Carolina Panthers Preview: Quarterback

Well, that was certainly a ride.

15 months after trading away three draft picks to acquire one of the top quarterbacks from the 2018 draft, the Panthers traded yet another pick to acquire one of the top quarterbacks from that same draft. When Carolina acquired Sam Darnold from the Jets, there was hope all around that Darnold would finally display the talent that made him the second quarterback (and third player overall) taken in that 2018 draft. And for about a month, it looked promising. Darnold threw for five touchdowns in the first four games and ran for five more, matching his career rushing touchdown total to that point. But the wheels came off, the shooting star came down to Earth. Darnold would go on to throw only four more touchdowns while throwing 10 interceptions the rest of the year, and suddenly the Panthers were rumored to be looking for another quarterback.

Meanwhile, 500 miles due north of Bank of America Stadium, the drama overflowed. The Cleveland Browns made their decision. Baker Mayfield, the top overall player taken in that same 2018 draft, had taken the Browns to the playoffs, beaten one of their top rivals in those playoffs, and seemed for all intents and purposes to be Cleveland’s quarterback for at least a few more years. Then, Cleveland traded a trove of picks for Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson. This, despite Watson’s unsettled legal problems, negative publicity included. Mayfield demanded a trade, rumors swirled, fanbases were divided. After much negotiation, Carolina eventually sent a conditional fifth round pick to Cleveland. The Browns agreed to swallow a good portion of Mayfield’s remaining contract. And here we are.

Quarterback Bottom Line

Mayfield has a new home, and is once again a starting quarterback. For now. After an “open competition” between Mayfield, Darnold, and 2022 third round pick Matt Corral, Mayfield won the starting job. While this may not look like the most exciting fantasy news from the outside, there may be more here than you’d first expect. Mayfield finished as QB16 his rookie season. That remains his career high showing. But his efficiency numbers, fantasy scores, and on-field results are better than Darnold’s across the board. Mayfield is more accurate than Darnold, especially on the deep ball, and has thrown 38 more touchdowns in only 10 more career starts. Mayfield winning this job is the best news fantasy managers could’ve hoped for, even if he profiles as no better than a low QB2 in Superflex/two quarterback formats. His value in other formats is extremely limited until we see otherwise.

Having now crashed out as the starter for two franchises in desperate need of an answer at the position, Darnold most likely moves to a new phase of his career as a full-time backup. What little fantasy value he had before this season has officially bottomed out. Feel free to keep him rostered in Dynasty if you have the space for it. He can be effectively ignored in most other formats unless Mayfield were to miss significant time. Corral is a stash-and-see in Dynasty formats, especially if you can carry him on an IR designation without affecting your roster limit numbers. In addition to his injury, the spectre of a possible Mayfield extension will cloud Corral’s future with the team. PJ Walker, who started one game for the Panthers last season, may not make the roster. He can be safely dropped and forgotten for fantasy purposes.

2022 Carolina Panthers Preview: Running Back

There have been a lot of new faces in the Carolina Panthers’ running back room the past few seasons. Since 2017, the one constant in that room has been superstar Christian McCaffrey. Unfortunately for the Panthers and fantasy managers, McCaffrey has also been a constant presence in the training room for the past two seasons. Since a 2019 season that saw him finish as the overall top fantasy scorer with the second highest point total in history, McCaffrey has played in just 10 games over the past two seasons. The talent he brings is absolutely undeniable. But there is a TON of risk associated with taking McCaffrey at the prices you’ll need to pay to secure him on your roster.

Running Back Bottom Line

If and when healthy, there is no more electric player in football than McCaffrey. He has a rare combination of talent and usage in the run and pass games. And he makes the most of both. McCaffrey averages 22.47 fantasy points per game for his career. Last year’s overall RB1 Jonathan Taylor averaged 21.9 (Derrick Henry was averaging 24.2 through eight games.) McCaffrey absolutely can carry your fantasy team. He also can scuttle your season. The back-to-back top overall fantasy pick by ADP in 2020-21, he’s played just three and seven games in those seasons. Again, you can’t argue with his top-tier talent. But that injury history has to make you pause. Burn me once, shame on me. Burn me twice, shame on consensus rankings. But burn me three times… At a certain point, the value is too much to pass on, but it’s at your own risk.

Conventional wisdom would have you insure yourself against a McCaffrey disaster by acquiring his handcuff. The only problem is, the backup running back picture is a bit murky at the moment in Carolina. Chuba Hubbard is listed on most depth charts as the nominal RB2. The 2021 fourth round pick was inefficient at best in extended action last season. He did flash some ability, and his underwhelming 3.6 Yards Per Carry could be attributed in part to PFF’s 31st-ranked offensive line. But my money is on D’Onta Foreman to be the main contributor behind CMC. Foreman was clearly the most effective player of all the clowns who spilled out of the car in Tennessee’s backfield last season after Henry’s injury. He could be at least as fantasy-effective as Mike Davis was in the Carolina backup role. I’m taking Foreman late in redrafts as a handcuff only.

2022 Carolina Panthers Preview: Wide Receiver

As we mentioned earlier, Mayfield winning the quarterback position battle was the best thing for Carolina’s fantasy prospects. Last season’s quarterback trio of Darnold, Walker, and Cam Newton combined for only a 58.2 completion percentage. That inaccuracy severely limited the effectiveness of top wideouts D.J. Moore and Robbie Anderson. Of the top 50 fantasy receivers, Moore and Anderson finished 45th and 50th in catch percentage. Both were well below their career averages to that point. Add to that the fact that 2021 second round pick Terrace Marshall Jr. never really got going. It all made for a very lackluster season from a fantasy standpoint.

Wide Receiver Bottom Line

Despite the quarterback woes, Moore still finished as WR18 overall. He has rare talent and is just a good overall football player. He should continue to see high target volume, although that number probably drops slightly if McCaffrey stay healthy. Even if that happens, more efficient quarterback play should benefit Moore all the…more? The threat of McCaffrey receiving should also make for some interesting coverages, which again could be good for Moore. Mayfield’s downfield proficiency could make for some fun Moore highlights. In all, I currently have him ranked at WR14, as he should return solid WR2 value. I’m targeting him specifically in Dynasty. He’s young and apparently quarterback-proof, and looks to be top-dog in Carolina for years to come. Marshall’s value is primarily as a Dynasty depth piece for the moment.

The perpetually-frustrating Anderson will, in all likelihood, continue to frustrate. Anderson has a ton of talent that unfortunately for fantasy managers ebbs and flows like the tides. Capable of being a top-20 wideout, his best two fantasy finishes are WR19 (2017) and WR18 (2020). He’s also capable of disappearing from game plans. 2021 was by far his least efficient season, with career statistical lows in just about every category. The upgrade at quarterback should help his efficiency, but there’s talk Rashard Higgins could steal some of his looks. “Hollywood” is nominally fourth on the depth chart, but he’s got history with Mayfield from Cleveland. Higgins is a solid and sort-of perpetually overlooked player. He doesn’t have fantasy value himself in his role, but may be a drag on Anderson’s fantasy effectiveness. Of course, “effectiveness” is a relative term. Anderson is most likely no better than a WR5 most weeks.

2022 Carolina Panthers Preview: Tight End

There’s a semi-proud tight end tradition in Carolina. Wesley Walls, Greg Olsen, and even Jeremy Shockey have brought value to the position over the years. Unfortunately for fantasy managers, Walls, Olsen, and Shockey have all moved on (although even a 56 year-old Walls might be able to make the back end of this roster). Heck, Dante Rosario would look like Kellen Winslow on the 2022 Carolina Panthers.

Tight End Bottom Line

Carolina hasn’t had a useable fantasy tight end since Olsen’s departure. Even his last four seasons were hit-or-miss with injuries. There isn’t an obvious name to target here, and Mayfield wasn’t exactly a tight end kingmaker in Cleveland. Austin Hooper went from a Pro Bowler in Atlanta to an afterthought in Cleveland. David Njoku was virtually invisible until he demanded a trade. And that was in an offense under a coach with a tight end-friendly reputation. By default, Ian Thomas is better at football than most of humanity. But he’s just not a fantasy option in any format. Tommy Tremble is only 22 and tops the depth chart. Athletic enough to make a difference, he needs to improve his efficiency. There simply aren’t enough productive tight end targets in this offense for either to be even a streamer option yet. Tremble’s youth and depth chart positioning warrant a Dynasty spot.

2022 Carolina Panthers Preview: Peripherals

The Panthers aren’t as useful a fantasy defense as we’ve seen from them in the past. They actually hold opponents to fairly low yardage (second only to Buffalo last year.) They’re pretty average in most defensive statistical categories, including points allowed. They ranked relatively well in sack totals last year, but had to blitz a ton to do so. And even then, they didn’t finish the job as often as their pressure numbers would suggest. They don’t force many turnovers and aren’t particularly dangerous in the return game. They’re streamable in the right matchup, but can be ignored in drafts. Kicker Zane Gonzalez was actually very accurate last season, but there simply aren’t enough scoring chances for him to be an option in fantasy unless the offense takes a big leap forward with Mayfield.

Dominate Draft Season!

Remember to check Belly Up Fantasy Sports for more fantasy analysis and entertaining insight. Rankings, team previews, strategies, and even betting advice will help you cash in this fantasy season! As always, more great NFL coverage is available on the main Belly Up site, as well as fun, informative content on the Belly Up Podcast Network, Belly Up TV, and B.U.R.N.S. Radio. Got something to say? Leave a comment below, follow me on Twitter @SttChaseFFB, and catch me on the Belly Up Fantasy Live podcast each week.