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NFL 2017 preview: Looking at strengths, weaknesses and X-factors for all 32 teams

By Peter Panacy

Jan 22, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) and Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) greet each other following the 2017 NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dan Powers/Appleton Post Crescent via USA TODAY NETWORK
Jan 22, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) and Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) greet each other following the 2017 NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dan Powers/Appleton Post Crescent via USA TODAY NETWORK /
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Dec 13, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) tries to avoid the sack by Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Ra’Shede Hageman (77) during the second quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) tries to avoid the sack by Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Ra’Shede Hageman (77) during the second quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

Carolina Panthers

2016 Record: 6-10, Fourth Place in the NFC South

Was 2016 merely a hangover season for the Panthers, or is it a sign of things to come?

On paper, Carolina should be vastly better than the 6-10 record head coach Ron Rivera’s squad posted last year. Quarterback Cam Newton didn’t have much help on offense, and the defense was marred by key injuries to major contributors like linebacker Luke Kuechly.

The Panthers added former Stanford star running back, Christian McCaffrey, early in the NFL Draft.

He’s a major weapon for offensive coordinator Mike Shula, but McCaffrey still isn’t an every-down back. If anything, he’s a unique tool. But Carolina needs a playmaker like him to ensure teams don’t clamp down on Newton alone.

If Carolina can stay healthy, and Newton returns to his MVP-like form, it’s likely the Panthers return to prominence and challenge the Falcons for dominance in the NFC South.

Strengths

Despite the down year in 2016, Carolina’s offense remains one of the more complex and potent groups in the NFL. McCaffrey only helps this.

Adding wide receiver Curtis Samuel in Round 2 could mean a big season for veteran wideout Kelvin Benjamin as well. Weight might be a concern here, but he remains a prolific receiver.

And any defense boasting Kuechly is going to be solid.

Weaknesses

The secondary hasn’t quite been the same since cornerback Josh Norman left town prior to 2016. Miami’s Corn Elder could be a nice contributor his rookie season, but this group overall remains a work in progress. Teams will challenge this group regularly.

Carolina’s schedule to start the year is also problematic. Five of the Panthers’ first eight games are on the road, so 2017 could get off to a rough start.