The Carolina Panthers have some solid fantasy football sleeper options for Cam Newton this season, as players like Jonathan Stewart, Devin Funchess, Cameron Artis-Payne, Ted Ginn and Corey Brown could be solid starting options with Greg Olsen after Kelvin Benjamin was injured. The Panthers have also signed star linebacker Luke Kuechly to a contract extension before the season started.
The Panthers are coming into the season after making the playoffs with a losing record last year and they are looking to try and win the division again. The team made a big move to keep one of their best players for the long term, as the Charlotte Observer reports that the Panthers have signed Luke Kuechly to a contract extension. G.M. Dave Gettleman announced the news and reports have the deal at five years and $62 million for Kuechly.
The Panthers have some solid fantasy players this season with Benjamin injured, as names like Jonathan Stewart, Devin Funchess, Cameron Artis-Payne, Ted Ginn, Corey Brown and Jerricho Cotchery will have to step up for Cam Newton. Funchess is a sleeper option and while he will not start right away for the Panthers, he is worth a look since he likely will get some more chances to play with Benjamin out. According to the Observer, Brown and Ginn will start week 1, but Funchess is listed as the number three wideout.
Jonathan Stewart and Cameron Artis-Payne are a great handcuff tandem, as the Panthers likely will run the ball a bit this season. Stewart is a great option for fantasy owners, as he is coming in as the starter and with DeAngelo Williams gone, he will be getting the bulk of the carries if he can stay healthy. Stewart has been productive when he is healthy and he comes in after rushing for 809 yards in 13 games last season, his most since back in 2010-11. Payne is a flier option and Funchess is a good option for teams in deeper leagues.
Kuechly comes in as one of the best defensive players in the league and now he will be averaging over $12 million per season. Kuechly has come into the NFL and dominated, winning defensive rookie of the year and also making the All-Pro team the past two years. Kuechly won the defensive player of the year award in 2013 and he has continued to make strides and is now arguably the best linebacker in the league. Kuechly has not missed a start for the Panthers and now he is locked in for another long stretch with the team.
Kuechly's numbers have been great in all of his three seasons in the NFL, as he has had at least 150 combined tackles each season. Last year he had 153 tackles and put up a career best three sacks and in his career Kuechly has seven interceptions and six sacks while leading the Carolina defense. The team is looking for the defense to dominate up front this year and Kuechly once again will be a big part of that.