Fantasy Football: Hot Take Predictions for Every NFC South Team

#2 Carolina Panthers

CJ Anderson will rush for 1000 yards

Everyone was super high on Christian McCaffrey when the Panthers let go of Jonathan Stewart at the beginning of the offseason. That was until they signed CJ Anderson who was released by the Denver Broncos.

Obviously, McCaffrey is still a huge asset and has massive value in half and full PPR. But the 300+ carries that we all clamoured for isn’t going to happen now with Anderson on the team. Stewart had 198 carries for the Panthers last year alongside CMC. He only managed 680 yards at a laboured 3.4 yards per carry.

Compare that to CJ Anderson who had 245 carries for 1007 yards at 4.1 YPC. Anderson is a much better back who is younger, quicker and has a lot less mileage on the tyres. I think Anderson will immediately come in and be the first and second down back, leaving CMC as the pass-catching back.

I think he makes the role his own and impresses, possibly reaching his previous YPC totals of 5.4 and 4.7. If he can log around 220 carries, at an average of 4.6 YPC, then he will tally over 1000 yards.

Obviously he has a lot more competition with CMC being there and his QB, Cam Newton, running the ball, but I still think it’s a possibility that he clears 1000 yards on the ground this year. If so, he will be a steal for fantasy owners at his current 8.08 ADP.