The Carolina Panthers have a number of fantasy football draft options this year for Cam Newton and names like DeAngelo Williams, Greg Olsen, Jerricho Cotchery, Jonathan Stewart and Kelvin Benjamin could be solid sleeper options and pickups as free agents along with Jason Avant, as Newton and the Panthers lost most of their WR corps to free agency and now they are looking for a big year in 2014 with some new names.
Newton is obviously the top offensive pick for the Panthers, but they have some solid options up and down the roster with players like Benjamin, Williams and Olsen, who could be one of the sleeper tight ends in fantasy this year. Stewart and Williams are solid options as long as they stay healthy and for fantasy owners, they should pick up the other name if they draft the RBs, as they are good handcuff picks. Kelvin Benjamin could be the top receiver with Cotchery and Avant, as Brandon LaFell and Steve Smith are now gone and Newton needs to throw to someone. That is another reason why Olden could be a strong pick this season, as he could be the safety net for Newton.
Benjamin comes in after making over 50 catches for 1000 yards while at Florida State last season and he could be a major sleeper. Benjamin is huge and has great hands and he will be a red zone type threat for the Panthers. DeAngelo Williams comes in as the top RB with Stewart and he could be a great option if he stays healthy. Williams has missed only one game in the past three seasons and with all the changeover, he could be the steady rock for Newton.
Cotchery and Benjamin are the two best wideout options for Newton, while Olsen could end up as the best receiver. Olson has not missed a game since he was a rookie and the past three seasons he has been very solid with the Panthers. Last year he had 73 catches for 816 yards and that was up from 69 in 2013.
Last season Williams had a very solid season and he played in all but one game, showing that he is over the injury issues that bothered him a few years ago. Williams had over 200 carries for the first time since 2009 and he had his best rushing total since 2011 with 843 yards on the ground. Williams also made an impact in the passing game, catching the most balls since 2009 with 26 and he also set a career mark with 333 yards receiving.
Jonathan Stewart has not been healthy for a full season in three years, but he is a solid pickup option for Williams as a handcuff. Stewart may finally be healthy after dealing with ankle issues and he could be a good late round pick since most owners have been letting him drop. Stewart had just 48 carries last season and 336 yards the season before and now he could be a great option if he stays on the field. In his last full season he had 761 yards rushing with 47 catches for 413 yards and he could be a strong pick in PPR leagues with those types of stats.
