Football’s finally back, and Week 1 kicks off with the Panthers heading down to Jacksonville to face the Jaguars in the Florida heat. Bryce Young’s got a fresh start in Year Three after finishing 2024 hot, and he’ll be looking to show he’s ready to take that next step. Rookie first-rounder Tetairoa McMillan is the top receiver on the roster from day one and will look to be Young’s go-to target on the outside, like how Brian Thomas Jr. was for the Jags last season.
On the other side, Trevor Lawrence is working under a new head coach, Liam Coen, whose offense might just shake things up in Duval. Throw in rookie Travis Hunter making his debut, by playing both ways, no less, and you’ve got a matchup that feels way bigger than your typical season opener. It should be a fun one, as all eyes are on the South to see who can rise above.
Lock of the Game
Tetairoa McMillan
Carolina Panthers
AT
Jacksonville Jaguars
$5.2K DraftKings, $5.6K FanDuel
The rookie has high expectations, but for good reason. Tetairoa McMillan is instantly the top option for Young, as he showcased some of that in the preseason before a minor injury sidelined him.. But with him off the injury report, he is good to go against a Jaguars secondary that may see Hunter on McMillan. In college, Hunter did lose that matchup, but if it’s Tyson Campbell, it might give him a harder time. Still, the Panthers’ rookie has such a size and height advantage that Young has never had in this offense.
Start ‘Em
Travis Hunter
Jacksonville Jaguars
VS.
Carolina Panthers
$5K DraftKings, $5.7K FanDuel
With the official announcement that Travis Hunter will be a full-time wide receiver and situational cornerback, while some might fade, I’m doubling down on rookie receivers in this game. If he can get a few packaged plays near the red zone or get set up to turn nothing into something, Hunter will be worth a play against a weak Carolina secondary in a potential shootout due to their defenses.
While I get the risk, if he does show out, his price might be too expensive to play after this week. While Brian Thomas Jr. is an obvious start anywhere, I really do think they will showcase their rookie right out of the gate, despite missing some time in the preseason due to a shoulder injury.
Chuba Hubbard
Carolina Panthers
AT
Jacksonville Jaguars
$6K DraftKings, $6.5K FanDuel
Chuba Hubbard should be a safe play, even after they signed Rico Dowdle. In 2024, the Jaguars had a bottom-ten run defense, so this should be a prime matchup for him to at least score once or twice at the very least. Even if he cedes more carries to Dowdle, Hubbard is the focal point of this offense along with Bryce Young.
Sit ‘Em
Any Jaguars Running Back
VS.
Carolina Panthers
Nobody honestly has a clue who will be the lead back and how much of the workload will be split up in Jacksonville. Regardless of the prices, it really isn’t worth taking a dart throw on Travis Etienne, Tank Bigsby, or rookie Bhayshul Tuten till we see something definitive on Sunday. I would lean towards Etienne or Bigsby, but it might not even matter if all three get carries and involvement in Coen’s offense.
Xavier Legette
Carolina Panthers
AT
Jacksonville Jaguars
$4.2K DraftKings, $4.8K FanDuel
Although he was taken in the back half of the first round, I’m not sure if Xavier Legette has been a proven target earner. While he is a fine dart throw at his salary, that is dependent on whether he can score. With Hunter Renfrow in the slot with Jalen Coker on IR and Adam Thielan traded to the Minnesota Vikings, I think it most of it signals McMillan’s top wide receiver status more than anything. Legette, along with injuries, had some bad rookie moments in 2024, so he will have to make a bounce-back within Dave Canales’ offense in Carolina with Young.
Fade of the Game
Dynami Brown
Jacksonville Jaguars
VS.
Carolina Panthers
$4.3K DraftKings, $4.8K FanDuel
Even though Dynami Brown is the other outside receiver over Parker Washington, I don’t see him being a big factor in the Jags’ aerial attack. Brown wasn’t a starting-caliber fantasy player even in Washington, as the former Commander came over in free agency. Although it is risky, I think Hunter has a higher chance of scoring than Brown. His career high in a season was just 308 receiving yards in 2024 as a part-time player.
