Fantasy Football Rankings 2011: Avoid Embarrassing Carolina Panthers Offense

One of the only certainties of the 2011 NFL season is that the Carolina Panthers will stink.

The Panthers have a new quarterback, a new head coach and a bevy of other players still adjusting to the new offensive philosophy of Ron Rivera.

I’m here to tell you that every part of this offense needs to be avoided.

Quarterback Cam Newton was one of the more controversial picks of the past decade. Just because he was selected No. 1 overall in the 2011 draft, doesn’t mean big numbers are coming.

In fact, he will be downright awful in the beginning of the season.

His struggles to throw the ball in the pocket are painful to watch and his receivers are going to be watching plenty of passes sail over their heads because of it. It’s a mechanical issue with his throwing motion that will take weeks to develop.

The growing pains are going to be brutal for Newton.

This is going to kill the fantasy value of top receiver Steve Smith, a fantasy staple for almost a decade. Smith must create space on his own if he expects to gain any sort of substantial yardage. The rest of the receivers are not even worth a look unless you have a 20-team league.

Fantasy value can be found in the running backs, but there aren’t enough carries to go around.

DeAngelo Williams has had great fantasy seasons in the past, but has been inconsistent and injury prone throughout the last two. With backup Jonathan Stewart poised to get plenty of carries as well, you never know which player will have a bigger day.

Throw Mike Goodson into the mix and it’s damn near impossible.

The tight ends are big names, but don’t have the sort of value to even waste a roster spot on. Greg Olsen has been featured in the offense thus far, but the inconsistencies make it a very dangerous and risky pick. Jeremy Shockey is over-the-hill and not worth a look at this point.

Add it up and there are no sure things on the Panthers roster. Sure, Williams will rack-up a solid amount of points, but with the crowded backfield, there aren’t enough touches to go around. Williams will not be worth a pick in the top three rounds of your fantasy draft.

Avoid the Panthers at all costs.