Power Rankings: Post-Draft Offenses (26-32)

November 4, 2012; Landover, MD, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Washington Redskins in the fourth quarter at FedEx Field. The Panthers won 21-13. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Carolina Panthers
Last Season’s Rankings: #26 Overall Offense (316.8 total yards per game) #29 Passing Offense (190.2 passing yards per game) #11 Rushing Offense (126.6 rushing yards per game)

While Williams may be getting older, his overall value has always remained consistent. Although his 1,500-yard, 18-touchdown days are over, Williams is still a solid back. Once you look past him sharing carries with Johnathan Stewart and company, Williams is a great starting back who can go for 100 any day of the week. In 2013 the Panthers’ rushing attack consisting of Stewart (only played six games last season due to injuries, rushed for 180 yards on 48 carries in 2013), Williams (843 yards and three touchdowns in 2013 with a 4.2 yards per carry ratio), Tolbert (361 yards and five touchdowns in 2013) and Newton (585 yards and six touchdowns with a 5.3 yards per carry ratio) ranked 11th-best in the NFL with 126.6 rushing yards per game. Where they ranked pretty well was in ball security with just three fumbles (ranked third-best in the NFL). I believe that because Johnathan Stewart was injured for a good portion of the year, the Panthers running game could not reach it’s highest potential. This season the Slam Brothers of Stewart and Williams will be teaming up once again. I think that because they’re coming into this season healthy and focused, they’ll definitely improve. Will it be enough to lift up the struggling passing offense? Only time will tell.

Cam Newton for two seasons has been showing his NFL critics that he can be one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the league. This season the Panthers Super Bowl hopes were dashed early in the playoffs as the San Francisco 49ers came into Carolina and beat the Panthers at their own game. During the season, the Panthers on offense weren’t that great (contrary to the scoreboard). Although their defense did almost win them a championship, their offense should have stepped it up big time. One of the reasons why Cam Newton and the Panthers only averaged 190.2 passing yards per game this past season (4th-worst in the league) was because Cam Newton’s only targets were either graybeard Steve Smith or red zone threat TE Greg Olsen (73 receptions for 816 yards and six touchdowns). Other than those two receivers, Newton didn’t really have that much to work with in terms of receivers in 2013. Hopefully next season, with Newton playing inside the pocket and throwing the ball safely and accurately, the Panthers will make it to the NFC Championship game like they deserve. With rookie Kelvin Benjamin out of Florida State, the Panthers are getting a solid receiver. He is a national championship winner and ultimately NFL-worthy. As well, the 54 receptions for 1,011 yards and 15 touchdowns don’t hurt either. We all know that the Panthers needed receiving talent with their three best receivers in Steve Smith going to Baltimore, Brandon LaFell off to New England and Ted Ginn to Arizona. In their place will be the combination of former Eagles’ WR Jason Avant (averaged 586.8 yards, 1.4 touchdowns and 47 receptions since 2009), former Bucs’ WR Tiquan Underwood (432.5 yards, three touchdowns and 26 receptions per season with the Buccaneers), former Steelers’ WR Jerricho Cotchery (46 receptions for 602 yards and 10 touchdowns) and former Ravens’ TE Ed Dickson (54 receptions for 528 yards and five touchdowns in 2011). While I want to say that the Panthers have a solid receiver corps, I can’t. Besides TE Greg Olsen, the only other reliable receiver would have to be graybeard Jerricho Cotchery. I think that Kelvin Benjamin is ready for the NFL, however nobody is quite sure how ready he is or how productive he will be in his rookie season. I think if Cam Newton is able to establish connections with these receivers early, then he can go out and do well, but otherwise I don’t see that happening. Newton is an amazing talent, but without the proper help, 2014 looks lost for the Panthers’ passing offense.