2014 NFL Preview: Everything you need to know about the Carolina Panthers

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Carolina Panthers

Schedule | Roster

It was relatively smooth sailing for the Panthers in 2013, save for a two-game losing streak to start the season. Their best stretch came in Weeks 6 through 13, when they won a franchise-record eight consecutive games and outscored their opponents 211-99.

A Week 17 victory over the Atlanta Falcons secured an NFC South title for the Panthers and a first-round bye. However, Carolina made a quick postseason exit, losing to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC divisional round.

During the regular season, Carolina ranked second in total defense and scoring defense, allowing 301.2 yards and 15.1 points per game. Defensive end Greg Hardy finished third in the league with 15 sacks, while second-year linebacker Luke Kuechly earned Defensive Player of the Year honors.

Quarterback Cam Newton had another solid season, throwing for 3,379 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions while completing 61.7 percent of his passes. He was also selected to the Pro Bowl for the second time in his career.

Preseason Power Ranking - #16

The Panthers' receiving corps took a big hit with the offseason departures of Steve Smith and Brandon LaFell, stripping Newton of two of his favorite targets. Newton is more than capable of carrying the load, though, and has a strong supporting defensive cast. More...

Key Additions/Departures

Key Additions: WR Jerricho Cotchery, S Thomas DeCoud, S Roman Harper

Key Departures: WR Steve Smith, OT Jordan Gross, S Mike Mitchell, CB Captain Munnerlyn, WR Brandon LaFell

Carolina's receiving corps took a big hit following the offseason departures of Smith, LaFell, and Ted Ginn Jr., who combined for 149 receptions, 1,928 yards, and 14 touchdowns in 2013. The addition of Cotchery should help offset those losses, though.

DeCoud and Harper are both familiar faces in Carolina, having faced the team twice a year as longtime members of the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints, respectively. DeCoud is the likely candidate to replace Mitchell at free safety, while Harper will serve as a situational player.

2014 Draft Class

The Panthers addressed an obvious need with the selection of Benjamin, who, at 6-foot-5 and 240 pounds, should be a big threat in the red zone. While his route-running could use some work, Benjamin has a ton of upside and will be Newton's top target right away.

Many were surprised the Panthers opted against drafting an offensive tackle, but the team did get a potential steal in Ealy. The 6-foot-4, 273-pounder had 14.5 tackles for a loss and 9 ½ sacks in 2013 for Missouri, and can play both defensive end and defensive tackle. He also provides Carolina with some insurance in the event things don't work out with Hardy long-term.

Gaffney's rookie campaign ended before it even began, as Carolina intended to place him on season-ending injured reserve after he suffered a torn lateral meniscus during training camp. However, the Panthers tried to sneak him through waivers to get him on injured reserve early, but he was picked up by the New England Patriots before they could do so.

Coaching Staff

Head Coach: Ron Rivera
Offensive Coordinator: Mike Shula
Defensive Coordinator: Sean McDermott

After leading the Panthers into the playoffs for the first time since 2008, "Riverboat Ron" was rewarded with Coach of the Year honors and a three-year contract extension. Expectations will be high for him this season, but it's clear the Panthers are buying into his philosophy.

McDermott, like Rivera, is entering his fourth season with the team. Under his direction, the Panthers defense allowed its fewest points since 1996 and set a franchise record with just 21 touchdowns allowed.

Shula served as the Panthers quarterbacks coach for two years before being promoted to offensive coordinator in 2013. While the team's overall rushing and receiving numbers declined from the previous season, they did tie a franchise record with 19 turnovers and had the league's fourth-best third down efficiency at 43.8 percent.

2014 Schedule

Carolina had the league's toughest strength of schedule in 2013, but emerged as the second-best team in the NFC with a 12-4 record. This season, they'll face opponents that combined for a 2013 winning percentage of .473, which ranks among the league's easiest schedules.

Weeks 6 through 10 pose the biggest challenge for Panthers, with four of those five matchups coming against 2013 division winners. 

After a Week 12 bye - the latest in team history - the Panthers play their NFC South rivals three times in a five-game span.

Bold Predictions

Kelvin Benjamin will win NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year: Benjamin is a work in progress, but he has the potential to become one of the Panthers' biggest weapons given Newton's tendency to throw high. If the two bond as well on the field as they have off, the Panthers may have found their new No. 1 receiver. -Caitlyn Holroyd

Carolina will finish last in the NFC South: The Panthers lost big chunks of their offensive line and receiving corps in the offseason and did little to replace them. The Falcons and Bucs should both be better in 2014 and the Saints should still hit double digit wins. Look for it to be a frustrating season for Cam Newton. -Michael Amato

Cam Newton will rush for over 1,000 yards: The only quarterback to ever rush for over 1,000 yards was Michael Vick in 2006, but that will change this season. Gone are Carolina’s top four receivers from last season, and the Panthers did very little to replace them during the offseason. The Carolina offensive line also took some major hits which means Newton will be forced out of the pocket more often than in previous years. In order for the Panthers to win, Newton will have to make plays and his best chance to do so will be on the ground. -Mike Dickson