Panthers' biggest studs and duds at the bye week

Even despite the offseason hopes of a bounce-back sophomore campaign, Young never looked worse as a pro than he did in the first two games of the season. He completed a shade over 55 percent of his throws for 245 yards, no touchdowns and three interceptions while pacing the Panthers to just 13 points and a pair of blowout losses.

His disappointing performance led to his benching prior to the team’s Week 3 contest in Las Vegas.

Well, the bounce-back happened . . . just not the way they initially drew it up.

Young was reinserted into the starting lineup in place of an injured Andy Dalton in Week 8. Since then, he’s connected on 62.5 percent of his passes for 521 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions.

The Panthers are 2-1 in that stretch.

The organization just signed over a four-year, $33.2 million extension to this guy for a reason.

Hubbard has proven to be the standard for this latest version of the Panthers. Not only is he a leader amongst his teammates, but he’s a leader amongst the game’s very best—as his 818 rushing yards rank third in the NFL entering Week 11.

Sanders has his own lucrative deal from Carolina, but it has yet to pay off.

After a career-worst campaign in his first season as a Panther, the sixth-year back has rushed for only 139 yards on 38 carries (3.7 yards per attempt). Between his current foot/ankle injury and the upcoming debut of 2024 second-round pick Jonathon Brooks, Sanders may not have much of a role the rest of the way out.

Wide receivers Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker and tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders have all flashed throughout the first 10 weeks of the season. Legette is already up to four touchdowns, Coker is averaging 15.5 yards per reception and Sanders is responsible for the offense’s longest passing play of 2024 (46 yards).

They also rank eighth, ninth and 10th amongst rookies in receiving yards.

These fellas didn’t pan out as hoped. Johnson, for reasons we may never truly find out, did not stick on as the No. 1 target while Mingo failed to live up to the second-round pick he was drafted with in 2023.

Both have been traded.

It’s tough to get on Tremble, who has had to deal with a handful of injuries throughout the season. But it seems, especially now, that his long-awaited breakout may never come in Carolina.

Tremble has recorded just nine catches for 72 yards over five games. In addition, his 46.2 overall offensive grade from Pro Football Focus is the lowest on the team.

The only question about Horn has been his ability to stay healthy—because when he does, he’s one of top defenders in the game. Luckily, he’s stayed healthy and is continuing to prove said theory, as he’s allowed the lowest completion percentage (45.5) amongst cornerbacks with at least 300 snaps.

His partner Jackson, who was acquired at the end of the summer, has proven to be an absolute steal for this defense. He’s broken up a team-high eight pass attempts.

There aren’t really any other standout performers, or at least consistent ones, on this unit.

The Panthers have allowed the most points per game (31.0), the third-most total yards per game (386.9), the eighth-most passing yards per game (226.8) and the most rushing yards per game (160.1). They also rank 31st in sacks (12).