The Carolina Panthers got knocked down a few pegs in 2016 after losing Super Bowl 50 at the end of 2015. The defense wasn’t the same without CB Josh Norman but it did get better as the year went on. So this year, especially with the addition of Julius Peppers I expect a solid defense.
<p>The main problem was the offense going from No. 11 in the NFL in 2015 to No. 19 in 2016. Some of that is because their No. 2-ranked running game in 2015 finished No. 11 in 2016. Another part of it was QB Cam Newton leading the team in rushing because the pass protection was bad.</p>
<p>HC Ron Rivera knows that you don’t win in the NFL when your QB leads the team in rushing. So he and the Panthers organization are looking to do something about that this offseason. They’ve already done something about their pass protection woes, signing left OT Matt Kalil.</p>
<p>Dalvin Cook is as good a candidate as any to put the Panthers’ running game back on top. He has great vision and patience at the line then on the second level, he’s elusive with great speed. Cook would inject life into the running game immediately, turning the Panthers back into contenders in 2017. </p>. RB. Florida State. Dalvin Cook. 8. player. 87