Winner No. 3
Zakee Wheatley - Carolina Panthers S
The Carolina Panthers made a big call by making cornerback Chau Smith-Wade a healthy scratch in favor of rookie safety Zakee Wheatley. As it turned out, it was a masterstroke from the coaching staff.
Considering this was Wheatley's first taste of a regular-season environment, there was a lot to like about his performance levels. The defensive back forced a fumble on his first NFL snap, which gave him the confidence to have a strong afternoon at the office.
The Panthers tasked Wheatley with more than they probably envisaged after veteran starter Nick Scott left the game, but he answered the call. He brought a physical presence that gave Carolina a massive lift on the back end, and his positional sense looked more like a seasoned veteran than someone in their opening NFL game.
Wheatley got his shot, and he took it. The Panthers would be wise to keep him involved moving forward.
Loser No. 1
Robert Hunt - Carolina Panthers OL
Carolina had very few flaws in Week 2. Considering we are only two games into the season, everything seems to be clicking. But if there's one area to worry about when the Panthers face better opposition, it's offensive line discipline.
The Panthers' protection in front of quarterback Bryce Young gave up way too many penalties, especially early on. The main culprit was right guard Robert Hunt, who just wasn't at the races before coming on strong later in the contest.
Hunt is held to a higher standard. He's a Pro Bowl-caliber performer and a legitimate tone-setter in the trenches. This was one of his sloppiest displays since joining the Panthers in 2024 free agency, but the veteran is experienced enough to right things.
Once Hunt found his rhythm, he flashed dominance. Ridding himself of these mental errors is key, but it should be a relatively straightforward process.
Winner No. 4
Xavier Legette - Carolina Panthers WR
After a disappointing outing to start the season, the knives were already out for Xavier Legette. The wide receiver came under fire and is under increased scrutiny in the third year of his professional career. But the Panthers have never lost faith.
And finally, Legette began to repay it.
When the Panthers called Legette's number, the wideout proved he could do the job. His deep gain off a beautiful Bryce Young throw allowed the Panthers to seize control of the contest, and they never looked in danger of relinquishing it.
This was no doubt a massive confidence boost for Legette, just when hope was waning. He's always had the physical tools, but putting it all together is the biggest stumbling block. It's not perfect just yet, but this effort shows what he can do once confidence increases.
It would have been easy for Legette to throw in the towel. Instead, he displayed the resolve needed to shine through the shade.
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