Throughout the 2020 NFL season, we will compile a consensus NFL Power Rankings that averages the rankings of all 32 NFL teams.
Here is where the Carolina Panthers rank in terms of average, best and worst:
- Average ranking: 29.4 (30th)
- Best ranking: 29th (Multiple)
- Worst ranking: 30th (Multiple)
Below you will find a Week 1 roundup for the Panthers in our consensus 2020 NFL Power Rankings.
The Athletic -- Rank: 29
Perhaps no team will feel the pain of a shortened offseason more than Carolina. They're the only team with a new head coach, offensive play-caller, defensive play-caller and starting quarterback. If the line can protect, the offense has a chance to be fun. But it would take a minor miracle for the defense to be even mediocre. This season is about Matt Rhule setting the culture and the Panthers finding out which young players they can build around.
CBS Sports -- Rank: 30
They will be fun to watch on offense with Joe Brady running things. But the defense will have issues with a ton of youth. They will play a lot of high-scoring games.
USA Today -- Rank: 30
We know folks in Bible Belt want to come see Christian on Sunday, but Mecklenburg County is doing you a favor by saving your money.
ESPN -- Rank: 29
Will this young secondary be able to hang in there against Tom Brady, Drew Brees and Matt Ryan?
David Newton: Narrowing it down to one big question is hard with a completely overhauled roster and new staff with little NFL experience. But let's go secondary. The defensive front looks solid, but the secondary will have a lot of youth and inexperience. There's a good chance two rookies will start in Jeremy Chinn (big nickel) and Troy Pride Jr. (corner). Strong safety Juston Burris has only nine career starts. The offense has the potential to be potent, so how well this group and defense jells is key.
David Newton: Narrowing it down to one big question is hard with a completely overhauled roster and new staff with little NFL experience. But let's go secondary. The defensive front looks solid, but the secondary will have a lot of youth and inexperience. There's a good chance two rookies will start in Jeremy Chinn (big nickel) and Troy Pride Jr. (corner). Strong safety Juston Burris has only nine career starts. The offense has the potential to be potent, so how well this group and defense jells is key.
NFL.com -- Rank: 29
Christian McCaffrey was the ultimate workhorse for the Panthers last season, and don't expect that to change under a new coaching staff. McCaffrey averaged more than 25 touches per game during his 1,000/1,000 season in 2019, and Matt Rhule doesn't see any reason to curb that usage. "I think that's the right number," the coach said. McCaffrey had an astounding 116 receptions last year, breaking his own NFL record for catches by a running back set the previous year. We wonder if he sniffs that territory again with Teddy Bridgewater spreading the ball around to Robby Anderson, Curtis Samuel and DJ Moore in 2020.
Previous update: Carolina Panthers Post-Draft NFL Power Rankings Roundup
More Carolina Panthers pages:
- Carolina Panthers Mock Draft Roundup
- Carolina Panthers Snap Counts
- Carolina Panthers Franchise Leaders
- Carolina Panthers Draft History
- Carolina Panthers Schedule
- Carolina Panthers Tickets
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