The 3-5 Carolina Panthers season is halfway over which makes this good timing to hand out some mid-season grades. I’ve given each player who plays regularly (snap counts of around 40 percent or higher) my own grade while also posting some free, public data from PFF.
With my letter grades, an “A” represents a game-changer, a “B” is a solid producer, and a “C” is an average player who doesn’t really help or hurt the team. A “D” represents below-average production while an “F” is actively hurting the team.
Through eight games the Panthers offense ranks 19th in yards per game (361) and only 25th in points per game (22.4). Let’s see which offensive players are moving the team forward and which ones are holding Carolina back.
2020 grades - offense
Player | Pos | % Off Snaps | Mick's Grade | PFF Grade | PFF Pos Rank |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Player | Pos | % Off Snaps | Mick's Grade | PFF Grade | PFF Pos Rank |
Teddy Bridgewater | QB | 99% | B | 68.3 | 26th of 36 |
Mike Davis | RB | 63% | B+ | 74.3 | 15th of 54 |
Robby Anderson | WR | 77% | A | 78.6 | 18th of 117 |
DJ Moore | WR | 86% | B+ | 71.8 | 46th of 117 |
Curtis Samuel | WR | 56% | B | 69.9 | 54th of 117 |
Chris Manhertz | TE | 52% | C | 51 | 61st of 68 |
Ian Thomas | TE | 65% | D | 47.4 | 65th of 68 |
Matt Paradis | C | 100% | C+ | 66.1 | 17th of 38 |
John Miller | G | 91% | C | 61.2 | 42nd of 77 |
Chris Reed | G | 72% | F | 48.5 | 73rd of 77 |
Taylor Moton | T | 100% | A- | 77.9 | 20th of 74 |
Russell Okung | T | 60% | B+ | 75.5 | 24th of 74 |
Quarterbacks, running backs, and receivers
Teddy Bridgewater has been exactly as advertised - professional, efficient, smart,...and kinda boring, but in a good way. He’s racking up passing yards (2,106) but he has fewer touchdown passes (nine) and more interceptions (six) than I’d like to see. I think PFF is way underselling him by ranking him the 26th best quarterback in the NFL. I have Teddy somewhere around the middle of the pack which is more aligned with ESPN’s QBR ranking of 16th in the league.
Mike Davis has been a delightful surprise and was on pace for an “A” grade until hitting a bumpy patch in Weeks 6 and 7 when he rushed 25 times for just 64 yards (2.6 YPC) with 27 total receiving yards. He’s been very good overall this year.
Robby Anderson is on track for over 100 receptions and nearly 1,400 receiving yards and is killing it so far. DJ Moore is on pace to exceed 1,200 receiving yards, but I knocked him down to a B-plus because he has only caught 55.9 percent of his targets and already has six drops on the season (versus four total last year). Curtis Samuel, on the other hand, has caught 85.3 percent of his targets (29 of 34) for 262 yards while also running the ball effectively, averaging 4.8 yards on 19 attempts with two touchdowns.
Tight ends
I gave Chris Manhertz a “C” because he’s doing exactly what he’s supposed to do by providing good blocking. He’s essentially a sixth offensive lineman who occasionally runs routes (his five receptions this year is a career high), so I think PFF graded him too harshly.
Both PFF and I are extremely down on Ian Thomas. I gave him a “D” while PFF ranks him 65th of 68 tight ends. He’s supposed to be an athletic, pass-catching tight end but for some reason he’s stopped catching passes. In what was supposed to be Thomas’ breakout season, he has just 10 receptions for 78 yards despite playing in 65 percent of the team’s offense snaps.
Offensive line
The Panthers are getting solid play from both tackles for the first time since Rutherford B. Hayes occupied the White House, or something like that. Taylor Moton continues to be fantastic - extend the man, Marty! - while Russell Okung has proven worth the price of parting with Trai Turner.
Speaking of Trai Turner, the Panthers guards have left much to be desired. John Miller has been generally serviceable this season while Chris Reed has struggled, to put it kindly. I hated giving Reed an “F” grade because it seems like a jerk thing to do, but I also think it’s accurate. PFF agrees with me ranking him 73rd of 77 guards.
Matt Paradis has been just fine this year at center, and after last year’s struggles I’m okay with “just fine.” That said, I’d like to see much more from Paradis given his $8.8 million cap hit.
What do you think, Panthers fans? Feel free to list your grades in the comments below.