Carolina Panthers

Panthers at Broncos: 5 best fantasy options

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

share

facebookxredditlink

foxsports

Dec 13, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos fans hold up a defense sign in the second quarter against the Oakland Raiders at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Here are the five best fantasy options to look at when the Denver Broncos take on the Carolina Panthers on Thursday Night Football.

When the Denver Broncos take on the Carolina Panthers on Thursday Night Football, it will be a match-up of the two best defenses in the NFL. For Denver, the defense is going to lead their team this season, as they head into 2016 with an inexperienced quarterback. Trevor Siemian beat out both Mark Sanchez and Paxton Lynch during the preseason, and will be making the first start of his NFL career.

The Panthers counter with an elite defense of their own, plus have they the luxury of having the most electric quarterback in the league. This one could be a big-time defense battle, so choose players from these two teams wisely. Here are the top five fantasy options for the Panthers at Broncos season opener.

5. Denver Broncos Defense

On the day Von Miller re-signed with the team, the Broncos reestablished themselves as the class of the NFL. In 2015, the unit led the team all the way to a Super Bowl Championship, and they return nearly their entire starting unit. Denver lost Malik Jackson and Danny Trevathan to free agency after the season, but their defense may be even better in 2016.

Todd Davis will slide right into the spot left vacant by Trevathan, and has the size and skill to be a difference maker on defense. Jared Crick spent the first three years of his career with the Houston Texans, but will head to Denver to take over for Jackson. Jackson will be hard to replace, but the team may have found a gem in Crick. Look for both Davis and Crick to ease the blow of the loss of Jackson and Trevathan.

The biggest threat they will face on Thursday is Carolina quarterback Cam Newton, who shredded the NFL in 2015. Newton was the MVP of the entire league, leading his team to a 15-1 regular season record. However, Denver had his number in Super Bowl 50, making him look lost and frustrated from the opening kick off.

The Panthers do have some nice weapons on offense, but the Broncos defense should be able to rack up at least one of the top three defensive point totals in Week 1. The unit is very opportunistic, and should force Newton to make a mistake or two. Plus, with Denver relying on a first-time starter at quarterback, the defense may be required to score if the Broncos are going to keep it close.

Aug 26, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin (13) catches a pass against New England Patriots cornerback Cyrus Jones (24) in the third quarter at Bank of America Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Panthers 19-17. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

4. Kelvin Benjamin

Heading into the 2015 season, the Carolina Panthers were very excited about wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin. The Panthers drafted Benjamin late in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft, taking the receiver out of Florida State. He went on to be one of the best rookies in the league, dominating from Week 1.

During the 2014 season, Benjamin had over 1,000 yards receiving. Overall, he caught 73 passes, and went for nine scores. It appeared that Newton had found that perfect first option at the wideout position, but Benjamin would be relegated to spectator status in 2015.

During a joint practice during the 2015 preseason, Benjamin tore his ACL. It was a devastating injury, and it would in fact keep the youngster out for his Sophomore season. He has spent the past year rehabbing to be ready for the opener of the 2016 season, and he is ready to go for Thursday Night Football.

Benjamin is the kind of player that can take over a game, and Newton is going to look for him early and often. The Broncos have an incredible defense, so Newton will be looking to get the ball to his play makers. If Benjamin can get some space, he should be able to rack up yardage in bunches. Look for him to catch five or so ball, for at least 75 yards, and a touchdown.

Feb 7, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Denver Broncos running back C.J. Anderson (22) runs against Carolina Panthers defensive back Cortland Finnegan (26) in the second quarter in Super Bowl 50 at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

3. C.J. Anderson

This past week, the Denver Broncos released running back Ronnie Hillman, a key component of their Super Bowl 50 run. With his departure, the team will no turn to C.J. Anderson, who split carries with Hillman the past few seasons. Anderson is a solid option at running back this week, and should be played as at least a flex.

The big reason for the bump for Anderson is that the team will be starting an inexperienced quarterback. Trevor Siemian has taken only one snap in an NFL game, and that was a kneel down. He will be making his first throws, reads, and audibles in a regular season game on Thursday Night, and they should make Anderson owners happy.

Denver will likely give Anderson a ton of touches on Thursday, and he should get touchdown opportunities if the team can drive on a stout Panthers defense. Carolina is very strong up front, but Anderson should be able to find some gaps and rack up some yards. Siemian will also look for him as a security blanket in the passing game, so look for a couple of catches for Anderson as well.

Carolina will likely keep this one low scoring, but Denver is going to get some points. Anderson proved during Super Bowl 50 that he can run against this defense, scoring the only touchdown for the team. In fact, Anderson was one of the only Broncos to do anything on offense, rushing for 90 yards on 23 carries. Look for the same statline on Thursday.

Feb 7, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly (59) reacts after a play during the second quarter against the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl 50 at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

2. Carolina Panthers Defense

The Carolina Panthers defensive unit may put on a show on Thursday night. Boasting one of the best linebackers in all of football, the Panthers have the talent on the defensive side of the ball to cause complete havoc. They will be licking their chops at the opportunity to face an inexperience quarterback in Week 1.

Luke Kuechly is the kind of linebacker that can turn around a franchise, and he will likely be an all-time great for the Panthers before he is done. He flies all around the field, and is sure to cause Trevor Siemian fits on Thursday. Look for the Panthers to feature some blitz packages that focus around Kuechly being in Siemian’s face.

On area to keep an eye on is in the defensive secondary, where the team plans to play two rookies at the cornerback spots. James  Bradberry and fellow rookie Daryl Worley are expected to be the starting cornerbacks, making the Panthers the first team to start rookies at the corners since 1991. The last team to do it was the Kansas City Chiefs, who started Brandon Flowers and Brandon Carr.

The position was a strength of the team in 2015, as Josh Norman emerged as one of the top corners in the league. Regardless, Siemian is going to be green, at least early, and the team should be able to force him into some throws. Look for at least one interception, but it could very well be a three INT game for Siemian in his debut.

CHARLOTTE, NC – JANUARY 24: Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers celebrates scoring a touchdown in the second quarter against the Arizona Cardinals during the NFC Championship Game at Bank of America Stadium on January 24, 2016 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

1. Cam Newton

Usually, if a game features Cam Newton, he is likely to be the best fantasy option on the field. During the 2015 season, that was definitely the case, as he delivered for fantasy owners time and time again. His only hiccup was in Super Bowl 50, which was long after the fantasy season had come to a close.

He will face the same defense he did in that game, and Denver may actually be better. However, Newton will have the ball early, and in some great spots, as Carolina should force some turnovers in Broncos territory. He can be deadly with the ball in his hands, and should deliver once again on Thursday night.

A big reason that Newton should be in for a big game is that he is getting back an incredible weapon in Kelvin Benjamin. Newton will try to get Benjamin involved early, as the young wideout is returning from a torn ACL that took away his whole 2015 season. Benjamin joins Greg Olsen, Devin Funchess, and Ted Ginn Jr. as targets for Newton.

Coming off a disappointing effort during Super Bowl 50, Newton will definitely be out to show the world that he is still the best quarterback in the league. He looks out of sync throughout the Super Bowl, and has had an entire off-season to think about it. He will not fail again, and should be put in position to put up some nice numbers on Thursday.

The Panthers are likely to take care of business on Thursday, and Newton is sure to be in the middle of all the scoring.

More from FanSided

This article originally appeared on

share

Get more from Carolina Panthers Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

in this topic

Carolina Panthers

National Football League