The Carolina Panthers disappointed last season by going 7-9. That record put them in third place in the NFC South and saw them miss the playoffs.

Expectations are higher than that for 2019 though. They have a strong all-around team headlined by the duo of quarterback Cam Newton and running back Christian McCaffrey on offense. Meanwhile, they have superstars like linebacker Luke Kuechly on defense.

They've grown a lot of their own talent, but have brought in some big names as well. They also have a coaching staff regarded highly by many and found themselves in the Super Bowl not long ago at all.

With all this talent, the Panthers could be set for a big season in 2019 – or they could disappoint in the end again.

These three storylines entering Week 1 of the preseason could be the difference between those two endings.

3. How Will Gerald McCoy Fit?

gerald mccoy

Gerald McCoy was the big acquisition for the Carolina Panthers this offseason. They signed the defensive tackle to add to an already stacked defensive line.

The Panthers already have Dontari Poe and Kawann Short. Adding McCoy seems unfair. All three are elite run stuffers and extremely talented at getting to the quarterback.

However, they're very similar and are all technically listed as “defensive tackles.” Could this create a bit of a logjam? Could someone end up getting less playing time and being singled out? If that happens, will it cause problems and distractions in the locker room or will they have no issue with it?

On the flip side, could things work out perfectly? Could they work together to give the Panthers the best run defense in the league and become an elite unit at getting to the quarterback? Will they help lead Carolina to a Super Bowl or will the mixture not work at all?

So many questions need to be answered here. The potential is limitless. With limitless potential comes endless possibilities of disappointment too though. Which path will they take? The answer to that question begins in Week 1 of the preseason.

2. How Much Will Christian McCaffrey Be Used?

Christian McCaffrey, Panthers

Last season, Christian McCaffrey was an absolute workhorse. He didn't carry the ball an absurd amount of times or anything (219), but add in the 124 targets (107 receptions) and suddenly he's featured crazy heavy in the offense.

That's definitely not a negative when it comes to production. McCaffrey is one of the most dangerous weapons in the NFL. He ran for over 1,000 yards and had seven touchdowns on the ground last season. Meanwhile, he added 867 yards (on those 107 receptions) and another six touchdowns in the air.

However, there were talks that the Panthers want to reduce his workload. That makes sense, as you don't want to wear out a young running back this early into his career.

Then, McCaffrey came out and said he didn't feel the need to cut back his workload. There have been reports that he'll see more carries and less carries, more targets and less targets. Even reports that he'll be given the ball more, but be on the field less.

In the end, all this adds up to is complete and utter confusion. What exactly will McCaffrey's workload be in 2019? We might get a taste of the answer soon enough. Possibly not in Week 1 of the preseason, but soon.

1. Who Will Emerge Out of the Wide Receivers?

The Panthers' wide receiver corps isn't going to win any awards for recognition. They don't exactly have any stars in the bunch.

However, they have quite a few names that could definitely surprise some people. Will any of those names emerge as big play guys? Will Cam Newton forge a strong connection with anyone in particular?

Of course, the smart money would be on DJ Moore, Curtis Samuel, or Jarius Wright. Chris Hogan could play a solid role as well though. Meanwhile, names like Aldrick Robinson and Rashad Ross (definitely a sleeper who could make waves if given a chance) could turn a few heads as well – especially with both being burners who can take the top off a defense.

The Panthers will need a few receivers to take a step forward in 2019. Newton needs more weapons than just his running back and tight end. So who's it going to be? This is one where the preseason definitely comes into play. Right off the bat in Week 1 we'll see who the staff has the most confidence in and most importantly, who plays their way into a role.