As we put a wrap on preseason game 1 here’s the Pro Football Focus top 5 grades from the Panthers win over the Texans.
For those who tend to take issue with PFFs grading system I can vouch for three of these just based on memory. The other two I had to look at in the tape and I can now say I agree with these grades.
WR Damiere Byrd
Obviously Damiere Byrd had a huge game though it does appear he victimized the same CB for all four of his catches. Regardless it was an impressive performance.
Refocused: Carolina Panthers 27, Houston Texans 17 | NFL Analysis | Pro Football Focus
WR Damiere Byrd, 83.7 overall grade
Byrd shredded Texans CB Robert Nelson for four receptions – on four targets – for all 98 of his receiving yards, and a pair of touchdowns. Backup QB Joe Webb connected with Byrd for scoring strikes of 50 yards and another from eight yards that proved to be the game-winning score. Byrd posted an impressive 6.13 yards per route run average over 16 snaps in route.
Byrd will get more chances throughout the preseason. The 5th WR roster spot is his to lose.
WR Kelvin Benjamin
Kelvin Benjamin not only looks in shape but he looks inspired. His two catches demonstrated the wide range of skills he brings to the field. In the first one his ability and strength was on display. He roamed across the middle of the field and then punished a would be tackler with a stiff arm that allows him to tack on another 5 to 7 yards.
His TD catch showed his ability to track and high point the ball while keeping his feet in bounds to secure the score. A pass and throw like that is unstoppable. After this game I am suddenly very bullish on Benjamin 2017. He could have a huge season, to the tune of 1,100 yards and 10 TDs (if not more). I base that on the fact Cam Newton targets KB a lot, to a fault at times in the past. He will continue to catch his QBs eye this season.
S Dezmen Southward
Southward’s performance is very well timed given the loss of Dean Marlowe last week to a season ending injury. Southward logged 6 combined tackles and a fumble recovery on 53 snaps, one snap off the defense lead. So the guy played a lot and played well both against the run and the pass. I do recall one missed tackle but he also forced a 4th down on 3rd and 1 by forcing the runner OOB before the 1st down marker.
I also like the fact Southward practiced against Julio Jones his first two seasons in the league. The Panthers need depth at safety and Southward made a case for securing one of those spots.
OG David Yankey
The offensive line played well throughout the game including the second half when Yankey got on the field. He played 31 snaps (51%) at LG and looks solid. The Panthers suffered from a lack of depth on the offensive line last season. They seem to be in a much better position this season regarding depth with Yankey, Chris Scott, Amini Silatolu and rookie Taylor Moton.
DE Bryan Cox
Where did this guy come from? A UDFA from Florida I get that he played against 3rd stringers in the first half but still, to lead the team both against the run and the pass is still impressive.
EDGE Bryan Cox, 86.4 overall grade
The Panthers need support from the backup pass-rushers this season, and got just that from Cox tonight. He flustered Houston edge blockers all night, racking up two QB hits and four hurries on just 21 rushes. His pass-rush grade of 83.9 and run defense grade of 84.2 were both tops for Carolina.
Getting pressure from the front four is what Ron Rivera values. With the top 4 DE spots accounted four by Charles Johnson, Julius Peppers, Mario Addison and rookie Daeshon Hall, Cox has an uphill climb. He has to first pass Wes Horton and Arthur Miley. He is at the very least looking like a solid practice squad member.