CHARLOTTE — With the Carolina Panthers 2025 schedule now out, we continue to look ahead at the season. There is still plenty of time for a roster, team's approach, and more to change between now and September. But in the meantime, we look ahead and ponder.

Earlier in the week, we looked at one player to watch from each opponent for Weeks 1-8. Now we do the same for the remaining opponents for Weeks 9-18.

Week 9: Green Bay Packers — Keisean Nixon

Nixon worked his way up to the Packers CB1 last season and should take that role on completely this coming year. But he's actually on this list as a kickoff returner. Nixon spent the past two years turning himself into one of the best KOR's in the league. He was the top returner in total yardage in 2022 and 2023, and top four in average yardage both seasons as well. In average KOR yardage, Nixon slipped just outside the Top 5 last season, finishing 2024 at 6th overall in the league (amongst qualifying returners), thanks in large part to opponents kicking touchbacks on 74.3% of Nixon's 78 kickoffs.

He told reporters at season's end that as CB1 now, he didn't anticipate returning kicks any longer, but special teams coach Rich Bisaccia recently told reporters Nixon would still be the starter. Given the league's new kickoff rule, pushing touchbacks to the 35-yard line, Nixon could be enticed even further to return. The November air at Lambeau will work in a kick returners favor, and if Nixon starts the season at the position for the Packers, the Panthers will need to head to Green Bay with a specific plan to negate him.

Week 10: New Orleans Saints — the Quarterback

The Saints are in a conundrum when it comes to their quarterback position, and as a divisional opponent, it will be a battle to watch closely. New Orleans drafted Tyler Shough in the second round in April. He joined Jake Haener, Spencer Rattler and Hunter Dekkers in the quarterback room. Kellen Moore has also said the Saints could be open to signing a free agent passer if the right opportunity arose.

Week 11: Atlanta Falcons — Jalon Walker

While looking at the first half of the season, we identified Michael Penix as the Falcons player to watch. The second guy on that list is Jalon Walker. Although a rookie, Walker was drafted in the first round out of Georgia to be a game changer for the Falcons. It's likely he'll still be adjusting to the speed of the NFL in the early Week 4 matchup. But could be warmed up by Week 11, and chasing sacks? It's entirely possible, and something to keep an eye on as the season progresses.

Week 12: San Francisco 49ers — George Kittle

Kittle is still one of the top tight ends in the league and arguably the 49ers most consistent receiving option. He finished 2024—a year in which the San Francisco offense took a dip—still posted the third most total yards (1,106) and third highest catch radius (83 percent) of all tight ends. The offense will go as quarterback Brock Purdy goes, and the power from Christian McCaffrey can't be overstated. But what George Kittle brings to this offense in 2025 could continue to change the game.

Week 13: Los Angeles Rams — Puka Nacua

One of the reasons the Rams felt comfortable letting Cooper Kupp walk this offseason was because of the production of Nacua the last two seasons. In two years, he's accumulated 2,798 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns through the air. Now the question becomes, what does Nacua do as the true No. 1 receiver for the Rams with no Kupp on the other side of the field? And even more so, does Nacua actually slide into the WR1 spot, or does new arrival Davante Adams take over the role?

Week 15: New Orleans Saints — Chris Olave…maybe

Much like quarterback, the Saints have ample questions around receiver this offseason. Technically Chris Olave was New Orlean's top wide receiver last year, but two tight ends and a running back were ahead of him in receiving stats. Still, Olave is a dynamic receiver who can change a game and will arguably be a the top target for whoever is named quarterback. But that's only if Olave is still with New Orleans. While the Saints seem intent on keeping Olave, there are trade rumors still flying around the receiver every day.

Week 16: Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Emeka Egbuka

The Bucs drafted Ohio State receiver Emeka Egbuka at No. 19 overall in this year's draft. He had two seasons of 1,000-plus yards at the college level and 24 touchdowns in three years; his 2,868 career receiving yards are second most in school history. Egbuka was primarily used as a slot receiver but has the ability to line up at any spot. The Buccaneers are still confident Chris Godwin (dislocated left ankle in Week 7 last season) will be available by Week 1 of this year. But if he's not, or on a pitch count, Egbuka could take the opportunity and earn more snaps. What does that look like by Week 17?

Week 17: Seattle Seahawks — Cooper Kupp

Kupp hasn't reached the same numbers he achieved in 2021 when he earned the triple crown, but he has still been one of the most consistently productive receivers in the league. For the first time in his nine-year career, he will be with a new team and a new offensive scheme. What does that look like for Kupp? He'll have figured that out by Week 17, but it will be worth watching between now and then to see how he fits in to the Hawks.

Week 18: Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Mike Evans

Mike Evans is chasing his 12th straight season of 1,000-plus receiving yards. Last year, that took until the final game, with the Bucs determined to get the honor for him. Mike Evans is always a focus of the Tampa Bay offense, as one of the best receivers of this generation. If he is chasing that landmark in Week 18 yet again, he'll undoubtedly be an even bigger focus.