Carolina Panthers

Panthers Start or Sit: Week 2

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Sep 8, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin (13) scores a touchdown against Denver Broncos cornerback Chris Harris (25) and strong safety T.J. Ward (43) in the first quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Which Carolina Panthers should you put in and keep out of your fantasy lineup this week in the home opener against San Francisco?

Week one ended on a sour note, leaving many fans and players alike eager and hungry to get to a home opener week two against San Francisco.

San Fran features a young Carlos Hyde and Blaine Gabbert as offensive weapons as well as dominating linebacker NaVorro Bowman. While the 49ers week one opponent may have been a less intimidating team, a formidable Carolina team should prove whether or not San Francisco can pass the smell test.

As far as Fantasy Football goes, the Panthers loss doesn’t mean their contributors aren’t still potential starts in your lineup this week. And against the Niners, there’s a few must-starts along with a couple you should tread with caution on:

Sep 1, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers running back Fitzgerald Toussaint (33) breaks through the Carolina Panthers defense during the first half of the game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports

START:

Carolina Team Defense –

San Francisco last season ranked 31st in total offensive yards and only mustered 16 passing touchdowns. Running wise, they were towards the bottom as well, ranking 21st in 2015 total team rushing yards. New offensive line personnel in Zane Beadles and Andrew Tiller did well against Los Angeles last week, but can they contain the powerful front seven that Carolina has to offer?

San Francisco also has a very shallow receiving corps with only one former 1,000 yard receiver in Torrey Smith, and that dates back to 2012 in Smith’s time with Baltimore respectively. While the young Carolina secondary has bugs to work out, the Carolina defense is yet again a safe play this week.

Kelvin Benjamin – WR

Last week proves Kelvin Benjamin is picking up exactly where he left off in his rookie 2014 campaign. The former Seminole caught six passes on 12 targets for 91 yards and a touchdown despite drawing coverage from an excellent Denver secondary. Benjamin will now draw coverage from 2014 first round pick Jimmy Ward and a secondary that gave up the sixth most passing yards to opposition in 2015. Look for Benjamin to continue a strong start this week and for most fantasy leagues is an easy WR2 option.

Sep 8, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver Devin Funchess (17) against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the Panthers 21-20. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

SIT:

Devin Funchess – WR

Week one for Devin Funchess largely was uneventful, as he only hauled in one pass for nine yards. Early on, it seems as though the passing attack relies on strong workloads from Benjamin and tight end Greg Olsen, with other options like Funchess being worked in as the season progresses. For now until results start to show, it will be best if you sit him. A nice WR3 option in place of Funchess is Steelers wideout Eli Rodgers, who is only owned in 27 percent of ESPN fantasy leagues and turned in a touchdown performance last week.

Cameron Artis-Payne/Fozzy Whittaker – RBs

Based off of week one distribution, it is clear that Johnathan Stewart is the clear cut choice for the Panthers running game. Artis-Payne did not receive the ball last week, and Whittaker only rushed three times.

While Stewart was on the injury report as questionable this week, all indications are that business will still resume as normal with Ron Rivera stating, “”We have to look at things and make sure Jonathan is 100 percent and we feel good enough about it to do that.”

Stewart was a full participant in Friday’s practice, an important sign in finding out how healthy he is for Sunday’s game.