Haynes King Fantasy Stats

Carolina Panthers rookie quarterback Haynes King (hamstring) was included in Joseph Person of The Athletic's latest 53-man roster projection. The Panthers have a clear QB1 in Bryce Young, and veteran Kenny Pickett looks like the favorite to open the year as the team's primary backup. Still, Person writes that King "could be the short-yardage and goal-line answer" that Carolina has been searching for in recent years. An undrafted free agent signee out of Georgia Tech, King ran for 953 yards and 15 touchdowns on 185 carries across 12 games in his final collegiate season. He also shined in Carolina's first preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals, recording over 200 combined passing and rushing yards and totaling three touchdowns. While King is unlikely to see fantasy-relevant playing time in 2026, his dual-threat ability gives him some long-term fantasy appeal in deeper dynasty leagues.

Carolina Panthers quarterback Haynes King could have a unique role in the offense once he returns from his hamstring injury. Adam Schefter said Monday that King is going to have a role this season and that it would not surprise him if Carolina used the undrafted rookie in a Taysom Hill-type capacity. The idea has been discussed before, with King saying during rookie minicamp that he would be willing to handle that kind of assignment if the Panthers asked him to. His athleticism certainly fits the concept after he rushed for 953 yards and 15 touchdowns at Georgia Tech last season. King also showed it during the Hall of Fame Game, throwing for 180 yards and two touchdowns while adding 39 rushing yards and the game-winning score against Arizona. He suffered a hamstring injury in that game and is considered week-to-week, so any experimentation with a specialty package will have to wait until he is healthy.