Carolina Panthers trio primed for huge 2019 season in NFC South

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton will be cushioned by three young offensive weapons as he dominates the spotlight in 2019.

On first-and-10 in the second quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals in 2018 and the Carolina Panthers offensive line shifted its defensive counterparts left, paving a gap for Christian McCaffrey to take the hand-off from Newton and get to work. The running back shoved linebacker Hardy Nickerson to the surface with a stiff right-hand before gaining 10 yards and change.

Roll the tape again to second-and-6 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Cam Newton found himself back-peddling, seconds away from being sacked. Then, he located McCaffrey to his left. Unbalanced and under pressure, he managed to find the 23-year old, who turned, hurdled Carlton Davis and raced to a 32-yard catch-and-run.

Another first-and-10, again versus Tampa, and McCaffrey received the hand-off before following his blockers to the right, tip-toeing around the sideline and breaking beyond three bodies until finally being hauled down five yards from the goal-line.

A second-year leap in the 2018 season saw McCaffrey assert himself as a reliable outlet for Newton in sticky situations and a magnificent athlete capable of both breaking and weaving between tackles. He also defied doubts over his threat as a piercing runner through the middle.

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In a year when opposition defenses will be keen to test Newton’s arm strength and mechanics more than ever, McCaffrey promises to play a defining role.

Having produced two rushing touchdowns in his rookie campaign, the Stanford product stepped up with seven in 2018. He meanwhile built on five receiving touchdowns in year one with six last season, as well as rushing for 1,098 yards compared to 435 the previous year.

What was notable about his rise in prominence was the fact he ran the ball 102 more times as a second-year rusher, thereby underlining his ever-increasing value to Newton and the Panthers offense. Expect those numbers to rise again in 2019.

Meanwhile, no wide receiver has registered 1,000 yards for the Carolina Panthers in the last two seasons, but that could change this year. Curtis Samuel holds the potential to seriously change the dynamic of the Panthers offense if he can make 2019 his breakout season.

The 22-year old endured an injury-stricken rookie season in 2017 after requiring surgery on an ankle injury he suffered in Week 10 against the Miami Dolphins. This was followed up by a medical problem that saw him begin the following year on the sidelines.

His clear playmaking ability has yet to be fully exploited, although there were signs of encouragement in the latter stages of last season. Samuel offered up 22 catches for 315 yards and two touchdowns over the final six games, including glimpses of his explosiveness, impressive route-running and agility in tight avenues. By the end he had racked up 39 catches for 494 yards and five touchdowns.

A standout play arrived against the Philadelphia Eagles when Newton handed off to Samuel who burst through bodies from the backfield to reach the end zone. Besides running the width of the pitch for a 33-yard touchdown against the Bucs, Samuel also displayed his athleticism to make a clutch leap-and-grab for a score against the Detroit Lions.

From his quickness off the mark to his ability to get open and reel in tight catches on the sideline, he possesses the traits to become Newton’s favourite target in the open field. However, every impactful receiver needs a partner opposite him, and the Panthers will be hoping Samuel can strike up a bond with D.J. Moore moving forward.

The second-year wideout is taking inspiration from McCaffrey as he strives to increase his production come the start of his second year in September. Moore coincided with Samuel’s late-season flurry with 25 catches for 314 yards over the Panthers’ concluding six games, managing 55 catches for 788 yards and two touchdowns overall.

He became a useful short-range option for his quarterback, with the Week 8 win over the Baltimore Ravens showcasing his sheer speed and temperament. Moore had tipped a Newton pass just out of his grasp to the floor before recovering the ball and rushing to a 28-yard gain on third-and-1. The 22-year old eventually finished that game with a career-high 90 yards o five catches, as well as rushing for 39 yards off just two carries.

For him to serve as a reliable target in screen plays within 10 yards of scrimmage could prove vital in not only protecting Newton’s arm where necessary, but also achieving a welcomed variation to the Carolina offense.

His run-after-catch ability makes him both a threat underneath and in central areas downfield, as evidenced by his impressive effort against the Lions to take the Panthers from just beyond the 35-yard-line to inside the five after breaching two tackles in the process. Should Newton’s shoulder allow him to sling downfield then Moore will surface as another deep weapon to make use of.

With Newton’s running expertise and the presence of Greg Olsen also to take into account, the Panthers look in good shape on offense as this young trio of weapons appears in line to really break out in the 2019 season.