RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 2 sourcesThe NFL's annual Hall of Fame Game is often a pretty rough watch. But that certainly wasn't the case this time around.
On a random Thursday night in August, the Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals put on an absolute show. Headlined by two outstanding performances from two rookie quarterbacks, the league's preseason opener kept us hooked from start to finish.
So, which players were worth watching (or not worth watching) on film the second time around?
Here are Pro Football Focus' best and worst grades for the Panthers in their 33-30 win . . .
*Players listed recorded at least 10 offensive snaps or 10 defensive snaps.
Best of the offense
1. RG Chandler Zavala: 76.7
2. QB Haynes King: 75.1
3. RB AJ Dillon: 75.0
4. C Nick Samac: 74.2
5. C Sam Hecht: 73.8
King was one of those standout rookie passers, as he completed 21 of his 34 throws for 180 yards and two touchdowns. He also clinched the victory as time expired on a thrilling 5-yard rushing score.
Hecht, the first of the team's two 2026 fifth-round picks, scored solid run-blocking (74.1) and pass-blocking (76.2) marks.
Worst of the offense
22. TE Chamon Metayer: 49.2
23. RB Anthony Tyus III: 47.8
24. WR Elijah Cooks: 47.5
25. WR David Moore: 44.6
26. LT Isaia Glass: 37.7
Glass was not as reliable in protection. He was charged with a team-worst five pressures—all hurries.
Moore reeled in one of his two targets for five yards.
Best of the defense
1. S Zakee Wheatley: 88.0
2. S Isaiah Simmons: 86.2
3. OLB Cam Gill: 82.3
4. S Lathan Ransom: 77.6
5. OLB Trevis Gipson: 76.7
Wheatley, the second of the two fifth-rounders, tallied a team-high eight tackles. He was also given Carolina's highest tackling grade (87.4), highest run defense grade (84.7) and second-highest coverage grade (73.7).
Simmons accounted for the highest coverage grade (82.4).
Worst of the defense
29. CB Corey Thornton: 32.3
30. OLB Princely Umanmielen: 30.3
31. DL Aaron Hall: 29.5
32. CB Tyrek Funderburk: 26.7
33. DL Tywone Malone Jr.: 24.6
Umanmielen was credited with zero pressures on seven pass-rushing attempts.
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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Best and worst PFF grades from the Panthers' Hall of Fame Game win
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