Despite a disappointing 2018 campaign, the Carolina Panthers

ESPN’s all-rookie team included not one http://www.carolinapanthersteamonline.com/mario-addison-jersey , but two members of Carolina’s 2018 draft class. Rookies Donte Jackson and D.J. Moore have a lot to do with that. They were selected to ESPN’s all-rookie team, which featured talents such as Saquon Barkley, Baker Mayfield, and other rookies who performed well on the big stage in 2018. Moore and Jackson were on that list, not as honorable mentions, but as front-runners. That says a lot about their performances for our Panthers this past season.Donte Jackson is “like that!” (as he says...) Jackson was overlooked as he was selected 55th overall in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft. The rookie cornerback played with a huge chip on his shoulder, and his performance this season displayed that. Jackson had 74 combined tackles, four interceptions, and one forced fumble as he started every game for the Panthers. He lead all rookie corners in interceptions this season.Watch as he takes a Drew Brees interception to the house on an attempted two-point conversion:D.J. Moore also exceeded expectations with his rookie season. Moore was Carolina’s first pick in last year’s draft, so he received high expectations almost immediately after he was drafted. Luckily, his on-field performance didn’t disappoint. He had 788 receiving yards and two touchdowns Authentic Taylor Moton Jersey , along with 172 rushing yards. And let’s remember this: Cam Newton’s shoulder injury prevented Moore from having more opportunities on deep routes. Imagine the damage Moore can do once Cam is back at one-hundred percent. It’s exciting to see that there’s “Moore” potential waiting to be unleashed. Watch Moore display his tremendous athleticism as he takes this catch for six against the Falcons:Which rookie do you think had the better season, Panthers fans? Share your thoughts with us! Welcome back to the 2018 edition of Step UP or Step OUT, a series on CSR that is intended to look at players who are playing well and highlight a few that need to step their game up. Think of it as a heat index for the Carolina Panthers; guys who are playing well are stepping up and those who aren’t need to improve their game or. . . step out.This week we’ll look at a bunch of guys that did their best in a losing effort against the Seattle Seahawks. If the Panthers are to keep their playoff hopes alive against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, they’ll need help from some of their friends, especially the ones who are steppin’ out, in order to secure a victory.Steppin’ UPCam Newton“Drip” Level: Something that can actually drip faster than waterHe did make one bad decision that resulted in a red zone interception, but other than that, it was another banner day for Cam Newton. He didn’t throw an incompletion until the second half on his way to going 25/30 on the day for 256 yards and a pair of scores while kicking in 63 yards on the ground to boot. He also got a first down on the fourth down play of the first drive, damn the replays and their inconclusiveness. He’ll need to be at the top of his game again in what will probably be a shootout against the Buccaneers.Christian McCaffreyHeat Rating: The core reactor of a nuclear power plantChristian McCaffrey proved two things on Sunday. That he can literally do anything he wants to on a football field despite any preconceived notions, and that he isn’t quite as fast as Shaquiem Griffin in a footrace.Sunday marked the first time that any Panthers player has ever topped both 100 yards rushing and receiving in the same game, and unfortunately it ended up being a losing effort. Regardless of that fact, let’s keep feeding the ball to Run CMC http://www.carolinapanthersteamonline.com/wes-horton-jersey , but maybe not against nine in the box, OK Norv Turner?D.J. MooreHeat Rating: The very center of a huge bonfireAnother week, another spot in the step up column for the team’s new #1 wide receiver. In the absence of Devin Funchess, Moore stepped into the starting receiver role without any issues and made plenty of plays. At this point, he probably will never give that spot back (or at least he shouldn’t). Moore continues to be extremely difficult to bring down for a man his size, always continuing to fight after contact for those extra yards, and he has shown some really great hands as well. Sounds a lot like the man who endorsed him on draft night with an honorary PhD in route running.Steppin’ OUTGraham GanoCold Rating: An ice machine that breaks down when you need it mostTwo weeks in a row where blown kicks result in a loss for the Panthers. Granted, this week was a bigger ask from 52 yards, but we all know the man has the leg for that. It just adds more ammunition for those that believe Marty Hurney made a big mistake releasing Harrison Butker, whose production is at least equal to Gano but for far less salary cap expense. The Panthers are working out other kickers, and while I don’t expect anything to come from that, let’s hope the message is received.Corn MunnerlynCold Rating: A can of corn left at the North PoleIn relief of Donte Jackson on Sunday Authentic Trai Turner Jersey , the combination of Corn Elder and Captain Munnerlyn were absolutely terrible. Even basic tenets of the job, like when a receiver stares down an incoming football to turn and look for the ball or at least throw your hands up, elude them. I have no doubt that had Donte Jackson played the duration of the game, this team comes away with the victory. One, or both, of these guys will need to step up and play a lot better to help curb some of the Buccaneers offensive attack.Norv TurnerCold Rating: The Cryogenically frozen Norv Turner from before princess Rivera rescued from from the lair of Pizza the Hut.For all the ways that the Panthers creatively found to lose Sunday’s game, it was playcalling in the red zone, particularly early, that stuck out and stunk up the most. Seven straight running plays during the first two drives in the red zone, turning a potential 14 points into just three. Five of those plays were against stacked boxes. It’s like Norv Turner’s brain got stuck doing updates and had to use an old version in the meantime. It was awful. He’ll need to maintain more balance in what is likely to be another shootout.