For the third of these weekly IDP and Team Defense Reports we are going to shift our attention to the NFC, after covering a pair of AFC teams in the first two articles, and turn the focus to the Carolina Panthers and their defense. I would again offer to profile any team that has not already been covered if you want to send a suggestion to the e-mail address in the final paragraph of this article.
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The Carolina defense is one to target in your fantasy drafts, especially if you like to take your D/ST in the last couple of rounds of your draft. Certainly they deserve consideration as the 6th-10th pick in most standard fantasy leagues. In 2016, the squad was second in the number of sacks produced, and tied for second in interceptions. The defense also managed to score three touchdowns during the course of the season. The team did lose a top LB, when A.J. Klein signed with the Saints, and there are concerns about their other top LB, Luke Kuechly, who could be out of football should he suffer another serious concussion anytime soon.
The team also has a new defensive coordinator in Steve Wilks, who was formerly the defensive backs coach, but who moved up in the ranks when Sean McDermott went to Buffalo.
The defensive line is strong up the middle with Star Lotulelei and Kawann Short. Lotulelei did have surgery to clear out his shoulder this off-season, but is expected to be ready for training camp and return to his role of engaging offensive blockers routinely. Short serves as an effective pass rusher while Lotulelei ties up opposing offensive linesmen. Last season, Lotulelei racked up 26 tackles (14 solo) with four sacks, a pass defended (PD) and a forced fumble while playing in 702 of the team’s defensive snaps. Short was on the field for 772 defensive snaps, where he picked up six sacks, three PD and 55 total tackles, 30 of those being of the solo variety. In a DT-mandatory league, each player has significant IDP value.
At the corners of the defensive line, Carolina features the dependable duo of Charles Johnson and Julius Peppers. Johnson has been dealing with injuries of late, but Peppers is in his 16th NFL season and shows no signs of slowing down. There are better general DLs to target, but Johnson and Peppers are usually available on the wire for bye week or matchup friendly pickups.
The big name among the linebackers is of course Luke Kuechly, who is generally among the first IDPs to be drafted every season. The question with Keuchly is his ability to stay on the field, as he has suffered concussion issues in the past. If you draft him, be prepared for him to miss time or even retire from the NFL. This is a high reward/high risk player in the IDP world, but when he is on the field, there are few better than him.
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The strong side LB position currently belongs to Thomas Davis, who is now a savvy veteran at the age of 34-years old. Expect that his snap count will diminish, as the team will want to keep him fresh during the course of the season, and may shift Shaq Thompson occasionally from his usual position at weak side LB to SLB. Do not discount Davis much, however, as he still can provide blitzing skills and will accumulate a good amount of tackles when he is on the field. All three of the starting LB crew are good IDP draft candidates, although the risk of injury to Keuchly and the diminishing playing time for Davis are concerns.
Defensive backfield has some promise with Daryl Worley and James Bradberry now past their rookie campaigns and ready to settle in as the starting corners for the Panthers. Bradberry did injury his wrist in mini-camp but is expected to be ready for the upcoming training camp. If your league values tackles, Worley is the guy to target here, as teams seem intent on attacking his side of the field. Captain Munnerlyn was re-signed to provide veteran depth at corner, and has the potential to see significant snaps on the defense.
The team brought aboard Mike Adams to serve as strong safety, to take advantage of his tackling abilities, as he racked up 79 total tackles with the Colts last season (62 solos). The Panthers are looking for Kurt Coleman to return to free safety, and take advantage of his “nose for the ball” skill set. Coleman had seven PD and four INT in 2016, and you should expect those numbers to rise with the change in position.
Any of the four starting DBs are worthy of a draft selection, especially in tackle-oriented IDP leagues and do not forget about Munnerlyn as a waiver wire option if injuries hit your roster.
As ever, good luck and Godspeed in your fantasy efforts. Make sure to read all of our great articles to help you win your fantasy match ups every week and ultimately bask in championship glory. If you have any fantasy football questions, especially about IDP leagues, send your inquires to ia@fantasyalarm.com.
Player News
Browns GM Andrew Berry said Alabama QB Jalen Milroe has “rare physical talent.”
Berry continued with his praise of Milroe’s physical traits, saying he is maybe the only quarterback faster than Lamar Jackson. Milroe ran for 729 yards and a jaw-dropping 20 touchdowns in his final season at Alabama. Though the Browns don’t appear to be taking a quarterback with the No. 2 overall pick, they are up again at No. 33 and could even package that selection with another pick to get back into the first round. The Browns have held visits with all of the major quarterback prospects, including Milroe. They currently have Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett on the roster, neither of whom is a long-term option.
Browns GM Andrew Berry said Colorado CB/WR Travis Hunter’s skill set is best suited for wide receiver.
Berry still didn’t rule out Hunter playing both positions at the next level. He also noted that he doesn’t think Hunter needs to be a two-way player to be worth the No. 2 overall pick that Cleveland holds. Hunter is currently the favorite to be taken with the second pick ahead of Penn State EDGE Abdul Carter and Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders. Giants GM Joe Schoen talked about Hunter yesterday as well. He noted the risks of playing Hunter on both sides of the ball but sounded more than willing to give it a shot. Between Schoen, Berry, and other reports, all signs point to Hunter at least getting some run on both sides of the ball, though not as much as he did in college. The receiver-needy Browns would likely deploy him as a wide receiver first, much to the pleasure of the fantasy football community.
CBS Sports’ Aditi Kinkhabwala says free agent QB Aaron Rodgers “is not going to play just for the sake of playing.”
Kinkhabwala has had conversations with Rodgers and executives around the league trying to sign him. Based on those conversations, she says, “it’s extremely clear Rodgers is not going to play just for the sake of playing.” He remains unsigned with the 2025 NFL Draft on the horizon and multiple teams needing quarterback help. The Steelers are the most likely fit, but it seems Rodgers won’t force it if he does not find a good fit. This explains why Rodgers has been interested in the Vikings and has not yet signed. The 41-year-old may be headed for retirement if a situation he prefers, like the Vikings, does not want him back. His options remain limited and Rodgers may call it a career if he still does not like his options later in the offseason.
Bears signed LB T.J. Edwards to a two-year, $20 million extension.
Edwards’ extension includes $16.6 million guaranteed. The Bears originally signed him to a three-year, $19.5 million contract two seasons ago and he has outplayed that salary. Edwards has four interceptions, 6.5 sacks, and 20 tackles for loss in two seasons starting for Chicago in the middle of the field. He gets a raise as the Bears lock up another important part of their defense after extending CB Kyler Gordon earlier in the week.
Georgia EDGE Mykel Williams visited the Falcons on Wednesday.
Williams posted on his Instagram that he visited the Falcons facility on what was the last day of pre-draft visits. The 20-year-old is a Georgia native, played at the University of Georgia, and is expected to be selected in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. The Falcons have a need for an edge rusher and hold the No. 15 pick. They may look to keep Williams in-state and add his skillset to their pass-rushing group. Williams tallied five sacks last season and has explosive production for any team looking to add an edge rusher in the first round.
Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz reports Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart “won’t fall out of the first round.”
Schultz reports his sources are indicating that Dart will not fall out of the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. He continues that the Giants are a candidate to trade up from pick No. 34 into the first round to take Dart if they do not take a quarterback at pick No. 3. The Saints are also an option with pick No. 9 or a trade up from pick No. 40. Dart is generally considered the third quarterback to come off the board after Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders, so a team in need of a franchise quarterback may take a chance on him after Ward and Sanders are selected. Teams could look to gain a fifth-year option on Dart and trade into the first round if he is not taken earlier.