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Despite what fantasy football platform you frequent, chances are you’ll have a similar projection for the Panthers in 2025. Bryce Young will be better but not great, Chuba Hubbard will be the best fantasy performer, and the defense might actually lose you points. Let’s take a closer look at ESPN’s fantasy projections specifically and whether or not we agree with them.
Projection: 367/589 passing, 3948 yards, 22 passing touchdowns, 13 interceptions, 51 carries, 294 rushing yards, 4 rushing touchdowns
Bryce Young played well enough down the stretch for many in the national media to have some optimism. I think most Panthers fans would be pleased if he threw for almost 4,000 yards this season. I agree with ESPN here in that I also think Bryce is worth a flyer late in your fantasy draft as a bench QB. If he balls out, he could potentially be worth a starting spot down the line.
Projection: 276 carries, 1242 rushing yards, 8 rushing touchdowns, 49 receptions, 289 receiving yards, 1 receiving touchdown
Hubbard is, unsurprisingly, projected to be the leading fantasy point scorer among non-quarterbacks on the Panthers this season. He’s projected to score slightly more points than he tallied last season, mainly because he’s projected to be just a smidge more productive in the passing game. He is definitely RB1 for the Panthers and could be RB1 for your fantasy team. The Panthers will make sure Hubbard gets his carries.
Projection: 75 carries, 340 rushing yards, 2 rushing touchdowns, 22 receptions, 147 receiving yards, 1 receiving touchdown
I think the experts are underselling Dowdle here. I don’t see a way that a thousand yard rusher last season only totes the rock 75 times. These projections are for under 100 touches, which would be a failure by this coaching staff over a 17 game season. I think Dowdle will get closer to 150 touches or more, especially if the Panthers want to keep Hubbard fresh. If your backs start to get the injury bug over the course of the season, Dowdle might be a decent spot start option.
Projection: 132 targets, 83 receptions, 1123 receiving yards, 7 receiving touchdowns
McMillan is tough to project due to him being a rookie receiver, a historically volatile fantasy football group. That said, Young definitely seems to have a good rapport with McMillan, as evidenced by some big plays and a dropped touchdown by T-Mac in the preseason. I think the seven receiving touchdowns is a little low, and I could see him easily notching double digits in that category. I do agree with ESPN that Nalo is a high upside WR2 option this season.
Projection: 99 targets, 62 receptions, 738 receiving yards, 4 receiving touchdowns, 8 carries, 47 rushing yards
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