Panthers @ Texans
Final Score: Texans 20, Panthers 3
Writer: Christian Otteman (@COttemanPL on Twitter)
Two third-year QBs, Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud, both led their offenses to begin this game, though one was much more successful than the other. Stroud found Nico Collins for the game’s first score on his second drive, while Young didn’t record a single stat in the box score. The other big story is the Texans’ backfield–both Nick Chubb and rookie Woody Marks looked great, which is very notable considering Joe Mixon‘s mysterious injury status.
Two Up
- Nick Chubb – The former fantasy stud looked healthy and powerful in his reps. While the speed and burst aren’t the same at age 29, Chubb could immediately step into a starting role if Joe Mixon misses the start of the season.
- Woody Marks – As good as Chubb looked, Woody Marks looked even stronger and more explosive. The Houston backfield is still crowded, so Marks’ opportunities won’t be prolific, but he’s worth monitoring.
Two Down
- The Panthers – Carolina generated just 164 yards of total offense, preventing anyone from standing out. This team was frisky at the end of 2024, but there will still be growing pains for Young and the rest of this team. Outside of Chuba Hubbard, who should still have a large role behind an improved O-line, draft these skill position players with caution.
- Dare Ogunbowale – The crowded Houston backfield makes it less likely that fan-favorite Dare Ogunbowale remains on the 53-man roster.
Carolina Panthers
Quarterback
Bryce Young: 0/2, 0 Yards | 1 Carry, 2 Yards
Bryce Young didn’t look great in two drives and had an interception called back on his first pass attempt due to defensive holding. Still, Young was solid in his first preseason game last week, and his starting role is not in jeopardy.
Andy Dalton: 2/4, 22 Yards
Andy Dalton stepped on the field as the Panthers’ QB2 but exited shortly thereafter with an elbow injury. While the injury doesn’t appear serious, Dalton is just a backup at this point in his career.
Jack Plummer: 10/14, 83 Yards, 2 INT | 1 Carry, 5 Yards
No relation to former Arizona Cardinals great Jake Plummer.
Running Back
Kay’Ron Lynch-Adams: 5 Carries, 27 Yards
The former Michigan State Spartan had some efficient runs but will need a lot to break his way to make the 53-man roster. It’s more likely the UDFA signs with the practice squad.
Trevor Etienne: 7 Carries, 18 Yards | 1 Target, 1 Reception, 7 Yards
Trevor Etienne was mostly inefficient with his carries but did also have multiple nice gains wiped out by holding. He will likely open the season as the team’s RB3 and will have to challenge Rico Dowdle to earn a fantasy-relevant role. A late-round draft pick in Dynasty leagues, but nothing more for the time being.
Raheem Blackshear: 2 Carries, 8 Yards
Fourth in the pecking order and a fringe player to make the 53-man.
Chuba Hubbard: 2 Carries, 4 Yards
An inefficient 2 carries means nothing for Chuba’s status as the team’s RB1.
Rico Dowdle: 2 Carries, 2 Yards | 1 Target, 1 Reception, 15 Yards
Dowdle should open the season as the team’s RB2. He’s a late-round handcuff option.
Emani Bailey: 2 Carries, 6 Yards
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Tetairoa McMillan: 2 Targets, 0 Receptions
Not a day to write home about, but we know the Panthers will be featuring Tetairoa McMillan heavily in their 2025 offense after they spent the 8th overall pick on him.
David Moore: 3 Targets, 3 Receptions, 26 Yards, Fumble (recovered)
Veteran David Moore has a good chance to make the 53-man roster, but he hurt his chances with what was nearly a costly fumble on one of his receptions. If he does make the roster, he’s still behind McMillan, Adam Thielen, Xavier Legette, and Jalen Coker on the depth chart.
Xavier Legette: 0 Targets
Legette was technically the target on Young’s first pass, an interception that was negated due to defensive holding. He otherwise did not show up in the box score and is an end-of-bench stash in redraft leagues.
Hunter Renfrow: 3 Targets, 2 Receptions, 7 Yards
A poor man’s Adam Thielen. He should make the roster, but he won’t have a significant role.
Ja’Tavion Sanders: 1 Target, 0 Receptions
A goose egg in the box score, but Ja’Tavion Sanders flashed some serious athleticism during his rookie season and will be the Panthers’ TE1.
Bryce Pierre: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 3 Yards
Pierre and the options beneath are not on the fantasy radar.
Brycen Tremayne: 4 Targets, 3 Receptions, 46 Yards
Jimmy Horn Jr.: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 1 Yard | 1 Carry, 6 Yards
Dominique Dafney: 1 Target
Jacolby George: 1 Target
Mitchell Evans: 1 Target
Houston Texans
Quarterback
C.J. Stroud: 6/8, 44 Yards, 1 TD
C.J. Stroud is a popular bounce-back candidate this year, and the third-year QB looked solid in his limited reps in this game. While he overthrew Nico Collins for a potential TD on the team’s first drive, he made up for it by finding Collins for a wide-open touchdown on the team’s second drive. The lack of rushing will cap his upside, but Stroud is being drafted too low as QB18 right now.
Davis Mills: 8/14, 61 Yards | 1 Carry, 4 Yards
Stroud’s backup and nothing more.
Kedon Slovis: 5/12, 51 Yards | 1 Carry, 9 Yards
Graham Mertz: 2/2, 2 Yards | 4 Carries, 0 Yards
Running Back
Woody Marks: 7 Carries, 40 Yards | 1 Target, 1 Reception, 0 Yards
Woody Marks had several nice runs and boosted his stock after this game, especially in Dynasty leagues yet to have their rookie draft. Even if Mixon were to miss time, he would still have to compete with Chubb and Dameon Pierce for touches, so he’s not a must-draft as a late dart throw just yet. Monitor his usage and abilities in the early weeks of the season to see if he’s worth spending FAAB on.
Nick Chubb: 5 Carries, 25 Yards | 1 Target, 1 Reception, 4 Yards
Chubb looked solid in his first game action for the Texans, powering through the line for a few nice chunk plays. Chubb’s early-season value is entirely dependent on the status of Joe Mixon–if Mixon misses time, Chubb would have FLEX value as the team’s RB1. If Mixon is healthy, I wouldn’t recommend starting him until we see how the backfield split looks.
Dare Ogunbowale: 0 carries | 1 Target
I have immense respect for Dare Ogunbowale for making an NFL career in Houston as a pass-catching specialist after going undrafted, but he’s on the outside of the roster bubble and looking in. If Mixon is healthy, I imagine the team will roll with Mixon, Chubb, Pierce, and Marks as their RBs, but if Mixon begins the season on IR, there’s a chance Dare could stick around.
J.J. Taylor: 4 Carries, 15 Yards | 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 2 Yards
Jawhar Jordan: 5 Carries, 15 Yards
British Brooks: 1 Carry, 1 Yard, 1 TD
Incredible name. Sadly unlikely to make the 53-man roster.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Nico Collins: 3 Targets, 2 Receptions, 13 Yards, 1 TD
Truly not much to report here, and that’s a good thing for an alpha receiver like Nico Collins. Collins was constantly open and could have had an even better day if Stroud hadn’t overthrown him on the first drive. He’s worth every bit of his draft price–here’s hoping we get a full season of Collins doing his thing.
Jayden Higgins: 3 Targets, 1 Reception, 14 Yards
As he did in Week 1 of the preseason, Higgins played the majority of his snaps out wide (19-6 in the slot). This presumably sets up his role as the outside man opposite Collins, which could be a profitable if not volatile role for the rookie early in his career. Higgins is a solid “draft and stash” option in the back half of your draft as a high-upside WR.
Christian Kirk: 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 13 Yards
The stat line is an omen of things to come for Christian Kirk in the Texans’ offense. As the team’s primary slot man, Kirk should operate as a short-yardage target hog for C.J. Stroud, placing him squarely in the “PPR Scam Artist of the Year” running. A solid, cheap FLEX option in PPR leagues, but I’d stay away in other formats.
Jaylin Noel: 2 Targets, 1 Reception, 2 Yards
Jaylin Noel is a solid taxi squad stash in Dynasty leagues, but he shouldn’t be drafted yet in redraft leagues. Fellow rookie Jayden Higgins is squarely ahead of him on the depth chart for the time being.
Irv Smith Jr.: 5 Targets, 5 Receptions, 46 Yards
Smith spent most of last season on the practice squad and doesn’t figure to make an impact in 2025. Dalton Schultz is still the team’s starting TE.
John Metchie III: 3 Targets, 1 Reception, 8 Yards
I’ll always root for John Metchie III, but his time in Houston is over, as he was traded to the Eagles shortly after this game was completed.
Xavier Hutchinson: 2 targets, 1 reception, 15 yards
Metchie’s departure means Hutchinson may have a clearer path to make the 53-man roster, but he hasn’t done anything of note in his first two seasons, and the Texans added several pass catchers this year.
Justin Watson: 4 targets, 2 receptions, 25 yards
Too deep in the depth chart weeds to have fantasy relevance, and that’s if he makes the team.
Braxton Berrios: 1 target, 0 receptions
Potential special teams contributor, but won’t be a fantasy asset.
Daniel Jackson: 2 targets, 1 reception, 13 yards
Luke Lachey: 1 target, 1 reception, 3 yards
Xavier Johnson: 1 target