4 realistic targets Panthers QB Sam Darnold can achieve in 2021
By Dean Jones
Sam Darnold touchdowns
- 25 touchdowns
Having Christian McCaffrey back to take some of the pressure off is going to help Sam Darnold. The All-Pro has proven his worth as a lead running back with game-changing potential before injuries took their toll in 2020. Providing there are no further complications on the health front, another exceptional campaign from the player is a distinct possibility.
That being said, Darnold will still need to make more of a difference when it comes to passing touchdowns. This is an area where Teddy Bridgewater failed to deliver last time around with just 15 scores to his name, which the No. 3 overall selection in 2018 is more than capable of surpassing.
Setting a target of 25 touchdowns from 17 regular-season games is achievable even with McCaffrey in the backfield. The Carolina Panthers should be more of a red-zone threat with the presence of Terrace Marshall Jr. and Dan Arnold, which the signal-caller has to take advantage of.
Generating some early momentum is going to be critical. Carolina has some winnable games over the first six weeks of the campaign and if Darnold can hit the ground running, the better the Panthers’ chances of surprising will be.
Darnold has never thrown for more than 19 touchdowns in his career so far. But this has a lot to do with inept coaching, poor protection, and relatively no consistency from his wideouts rather than an inability to make opportunities count.