The first batch of Pro Football Focus grades for the 2023 regular season are in.
Let’s take a look at the best and worst marks for the Carolina Panthers in their Week 1 loss to the Atlanta Falcons.
Best of the offense
1. RB Chuba Hubbard: 82.1
2. TE Hayden Hurst: 70.8
3. C Bradley Bozeman: 68.6
4. LT Ikem Ekwonu: 67.9
5. RT Taylor Moton: 66.2
Hubbard and Hurst were the two standouts in an otherwise bland offensive outing. The former ran for an efficient 60 yards on just nine totes while the latter reeled in the only touchdown of the afternoon for Carolina.
Ekwonu, whose preseason performance wasn’t up to par, was charged with one sack on 42 pass-blocking chances.
Worst of the offense
13. WR Adam Thielen: 53.9
14. TE Tommy Tremble: 50.3
15. RB Miles Sanders: 47.7
16. WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette: 37.8
17. QB Bryce Young: 31.4
A darling in PFF’s college grading, Young began his pro career with a rough one. He completed 20 of his 38 attempts for 146 yards, a score and a pair of interceptions.
Best of the defense
1. CB Troy Hill: 76.4
2. S Xavier Woods: 69.5
3. DT Derrick Brown: 68.4
4. OLB Brian Burns: 68.0
5. CB Jaycee Horn: 67.9
The defensive firm of Brown and Burns put a scare into Atlanta on Sunday. They combined for 2.5 sacks and 11 stops.
Worst of the defense
13. CB Donte Jackson: 57.6
14. DT Nick Thurman: 55.6
15. CB CJ Henderson: 48.9
16. S Vonn Bell: 38.4
17. DE DeShawn Williams: 30.8
The Falcons didn’t throw often, but they weren’t afraid to throw at Henderson. He allowed a combined 45 yards on two catches over two targets.
Bell didn’t have a great start to his Panthers tenure. He allowed a 10-yard reception on his lone target and missed two tackles.
