If only we knew Greg Olsen would miss most of the year and Kelvin Benjamin would be traded, we could have pegged Funchess as Cam Newton's new top target. Heading into 2018, it should be a little easier. Funchess wasn't especially efficient (7.6 YPT - 20th among the league's 27 100-target WR), and he had only one catch of 40 or more yards. But at 6-4, 225, he's a massive target in the end zone and scored eight times (T-8th) despite being 19th in overall targets and tied for 30th in targets inside the 10. Funchess has only average speed (4.50 40), but for his size that's actually blazing - a tick faster than fellow giant Mike Evans' combine time (4.53). Funchess should reprise his role as Newton's top dog, though he'll have to share targets with a presumably healthy Olsen and first-round draft pick D.J. Moore. The Panthers also brought in Torrey Smith to stretch the field and Jarius Wright for the slot, and second-year man Curtis Samuel should also be back at some point. And don't forget about pass-catching tailback Christian McCaffrey. But Funchess projects as the team's No. 1, even if his target ceiling is limited.

The Panthers' 2015 second-round pick was primed for a breakout season in 2016 but saw a dip in every major category, including targets, receptions, yards and touchdowns before missing the regular-season finale with a minor knee injury. Both Kelvin Benjamin and tight end Greg Olsen surpassed 115 targets as they remained focal points in the passing game, while Funchess was on the field for less than half of the team's offensive snaps. Luckily for Funchess, there isn't much competition for the No. 2 wideout spot behind Benjamin heading into the 2017 season, lending the 6-4, 23-year-old plenty of upside once again. Ted Ginn won't be in the picture after being picked up by the Saints in free agency, so Funchess has an even greater opportunity to build a healthier rapport with quarterback Cam Newton during their third year together.

Carolina's second-round pick last year, Funchess had a major opportunity when Kelvin Benjamin tore his ACL last summer, but he never established himself as more than an occasional contributor in the offense. Funchess finished with only 63 targets, and while he leveraged those into five scores, his 7.5 YPT was pedestrian on a team that averaged 7.7 YPA. Funchess did have two catches for 40-plus yards, as his 4.5 40 speed is impressive fora 6-4, 225-pound receiver. While Funchess might find himself fourth on the depth chart at the start of training camp, he has some upside as receivers typically break out in Year 2. Benjamin is still ramping up to full speed in his recovery, and Philly Brown and Ted Ginn are hardly immovable obstacles.

That the Panthers traded up to draft Funchess in the second round bodes well for his workload this year, especially given the team's lack of receiver depth in the wake of Kelvin Benjamin's season-ending injury. At 6-4, 232, with 4.5 40 speed, Funchess has unusual speed for his size and should be a formidable red-zone presence. In fact, he's a lot like his teammate Benjamin down to the propensity for dropped passes (Benjamin tied for the league lead last year with 10). It's worth noting Funchess largely played tight end at Michigan and could wind up eligible at the position in some formats, boosting his value, even though he'll be a wideout for Carolina with Pro Bowl TE Greg Olsen around.