The Top Five Dynasty Assets on the Carolina Panthers

Johnny Kinsley

The Carolina Panthers have plenty of dynasty assets. Though the defense is a work in progress, the offense fields a great amount of skill player talent. The team spared no expense at providing Sam Darnold with enough weapons to keep him company, and with Christian McCaffrey set to make his return, that’s an enticing bunch.

So, with this in mind, which options present the best fit for your dynasty team? Which options can supply you long-term and keep your anxious minds at ease? Worry no longer, as here you’ll find out who I consider to be Carolina’s five top dynasty players.

With that said let’s get things started, shall we?

Christian McCaffrey, RB (25 years old)

This goes without saying. In his last season of major action, McCaffrey was Fantasy Data’s second-best fantasy player, only trailing the unanimous MVP himself in Lamar Jackson. In 2020 he was limited to three appearances in an injury-riddled season, but back at 100 percent, some suggest he’ll be the first two-time member of the 1,000 rushing 1,000 receiving club.

There’s good reason to think so too. The receiving corps now includes DJ Moore, Robby Anderson, rookie Terrace Marshall, and Dan Arnold. While concern may arise within you in regards to the amount of touches CMC will be promised, never fear. The increase in weapons only takes away from the attention put on McCaffrey, so worst case scenario he’s available as the check-down option for the team.

Besides, McCaffrey’s talents extend well enough that as a receiver he can be used in the intermediate and vertical areas. You can plug him in the slot or occasionally insert him outside, and his deadly route running and knife cutting elusiveness will prevail. Deadly and versatile, this is the most obvious must-have dynasty player this team could ever have.

DJ Moore, WR (24)

This one is also kind of a gimme. Moore is entering the fourth of five years on his rookie deal. He’s been a success since his arrival into the pros, though the touchdowns have been limited thanks to quarterback play that’s… also been limited.

In 2020, Moore was the WR17 on Fantasy Data’s metrics, with his 66 catches, 1,193 yards, and four touchdowns good enough to give him 145.5 points. Having Kyle Allen and Teddy Bridgewater as your quarterbacks does well if you’re looking for safe throws, but in terms of accuracy further down the field it does little. Though Moore primarily excels as a short-field threat, that was the story of his 2019 and 2020 seasons.

With Sam Darnold at the helm, taking Moore can be a bit of risk, but he’s hit 1,000 yards before, and can certainly do it again with another new QB. He’s a tricky receiver after the catch and has progressively gotten better as a route runner each year. With a little more emphasis on the downfield game, this could be a home run hit for years to come. But even then Moore offers very good value for your dynasty team.

Jeremy Chinn, S (23)

When it came to defensive backs in 2020, only Jordan Poyer of the Bills finished better than Chinn, a rookie, on Fantasy Data’s fantasy metrics. Chinn’s 138.5 fantasy points were just two away from taking the Fantasy Data crown at the defensive back position.

Two pick-sixes certainly help those numbers, but as a whole Chinn has taken quite the command for a Panthers team desperate for safety help. He is already a solid player in coverage, has good tackling form, and (as it is important in IDP leagues) can rack up tackles with ease. Tackles aren’t always as good as the numbers appear, but in fantasy they count equally.

Some minor criticisms can be aimed at the number of missed tackles Chinn had in his rookie season (15 according to Pro Football Reference). Still, that tends to happen to most rookies, and I have no doubt that this young safety can polish that up. He has the foundation for long-term success as a dynasty asset.

Terrace Marshall, WR (21)

Any time you can get a day two receiver as a dynasty option on a rookie deal, you just have to do it. That’s what the Panthers did with LSU’s Marshall, and that’s what you can do with him as well.

In seven games in 2020, Marshall caught 48 passes for 731 yards and touchdowns, even without Joe Burrow at the helm. His impressive frame and wingspan give Darnold a large margin for error on tight window throws, and he has experience knifing up defenses in the slot.

If not for him opting out after seven games in his final collegiate season, there’s no telling what kind of numbers Marshall would have put up. Perhaps these missed games would’ve helped his draft stock, but as the Panthers would tell you that’s what steals are for.

Brian Burns, DE (23)

Though he technically already has, Burns is my pick for breakout defensive player in 2021 as I expect monster video game numbers from him. In 2020, Burns was DL5 on Fantasy Data’s metrics, with his nine sacks, 22 quarterback hits, and 11.5 tackles for loss giving him a total of 118.8 fantasy points in IDP leagues.

The production is there, and so is the talent. Burns is an incredible pressure-generating machine, with a famous “ghost move” that allows him to slide and duck under offensive linemen and into the body of a quarterback. In college I was impressed by his wide arsenal of pass-rushing moves, and that’s been apparent through two seasons in the NFL.

Burns is the cornerstone of the Panthers pass rush, a cyborg talent set to put up all-pro numbers and level of play as he looks to transform Carolina’s unit into one of the league’s very best.

Johnny Kinsley

The Carolina Panthers have plenty of dynasty assets. Though the defense is a work in progress, the offense fields a great amount of skill player talent. The team spared no expense at providing Sam Darnold with enough weapons to keep him company, and with Christian McCaffrey set to make his return, that’s an enticing bunch.

So, with this in mind, which options present the best fit for your dynasty team? Which options can supply you long-term and keep your anxious minds at ease? Worry no longer, as here you’ll find out who I consider to be Carolina’s five top dynasty players.

With that said let’s get things started, shall we?

Christian McCaffrey, RB (25 years old)

This goes without saying. In his last season of major action, McCaffrey was Fantasy Data’s second-best fantasy player, only trailing the unanimous MVP himself in Lamar Jackson. In 2020 he was limited to three appearances in an injury-riddled season, but back at 100 percent, some suggest he’ll be the first two-time member of the 1,000 rushing 1,000 receiving club.

There’s good reason to think so too. The receiving corps now includes DJ Moore, Robby Anderson, rookie Terrace Marshall, and Dan Arnold. While concern may arise within you in regards to the amount of touches CMC will be promised, never fear. The increase in weapons only takes away from the attention put on McCaffrey, so worst case scenario he’s available as the check-down option for the team.

Besides, McCaffrey’s talents extend well enough that as a receiver he can be used in the intermediate and vertical areas. You can plug him in the slot or occasionally insert him outside, and his deadly route running and knife cutting elusiveness will prevail. Deadly and versatile, this is the most obvious must-have dynasty player this team could ever have.

DJ Moore, WR (24)

This one is also kind of a gimme. Moore is entering the fourth of five years on his rookie deal. He’s been a success since his arrival into the pros, though the touchdowns have been limited thanks to quarterback play that’s… also been limited.

In 2020, Moore was the WR17 on Fantasy Data’s metrics, with his 66 catches, 1,193 yards, and four touchdowns good enough to give him 145.5 points. Having Kyle Allen and Teddy Bridgewater as your quarterbacks does well if you’re looking for safe throws, but in terms of accuracy further down the field it does little. Though Moore primarily excels as a short-field threat, that was the story of his 2019 and 2020 seasons.

With Sam Darnold at the helm, taking Moore can be a bit of risk, but he’s hit 1,000 yards before, and can certainly do it again with another new QB. He’s a tricky receiver after the catch and has progressively gotten better as a route runner each year. With a little more emphasis on the downfield game, this could be a home run hit for years to come. But even then Moore offers very good value for your dynasty team.

Jeremy Chinn, S (23)

When it came to defensive backs in 2020, only Jordan Poyer of the Bills finished better than Chinn, a rookie, on Fantasy Data’s fantasy metrics. Chinn’s 138.5 fantasy points were just two away from taking the Fantasy Data crown at the defensive back position.

Two pick-sixes certainly help those numbers, but as a whole Chinn has taken quite the command for a Panthers team desperate for safety help. He is already a solid player in coverage, has good tackling form, and (as it is important in IDP leagues) can rack up tackles with ease. Tackles aren’t always as good as the numbers appear, but in fantasy they count equally.

Some minor criticisms can be aimed at the number of missed tackles Chinn had in his rookie season (15 according to Pro Football Reference). Still, that tends to happen to most rookies, and I have no doubt that this young safety can polish that up. He has the foundation for long-term success as a dynasty asset.

Terrace Marshall, WR (21)

Any time you can get a day two receiver as a dynasty option on a rookie deal, you just have to do it. That’s what the Panthers did with LSU’s Marshall, and that’s what you can do with him as well.

In seven games in 2020, Marshall caught 48 passes for 731 yards and touchdowns, even without Joe Burrow at the helm. His impressive frame and wingspan give Darnold a large margin for error on tight window throws, and he has experience knifing up defenses in the slot.

If not for him opting out after seven games in his final collegiate season, there’s no telling what kind of numbers Marshall would have put up. Perhaps these missed games would’ve helped his draft stock, but as the Panthers would tell you that’s what steals are for.

Brian Burns, DE (23)

Though he technically already has, Burns is my pick for breakout defensive player in 2021 as I expect monster video game numbers from him. In 2020, Burns was DL5 on Fantasy Data’s metrics, with his nine sacks, 22 quarterback hits, and 11.5 tackles for loss giving him a total of 118.8 fantasy points in IDP leagues.

The production is there, and so is the talent. Burns is an incredible pressure-generating machine, with a famous “ghost move” that allows him to slide and duck under offensive linemen and into the body of a quarterback. In college I was impressed by his wide arsenal of pass-rushing moves, and that’s been apparent through two seasons in the NFL.

Burns is the cornerstone of the Panthers pass rush, a cyborg talent set to put up all-pro numbers and level of play as he looks to transform Carolina’s unit into one of the league’s very best.

Johnny Kinsley

The Top Five Dynasty Assets on the Carolina Panthers