Funchess was targeted twice, but failed to catch a pass during Sunday's loss to the Vikings.

EDGE Analysis

Funchess has endured a mostly disappointing start to this season, as he's managed just three catches (on 11 targets) for 28 yards and a touchdown in three games played. The second-year pro featured for nearly 55 percent of Sunday's offensive plays, which is just below his season average, but regardless of Funchess' snap count, his production has not warranted much faith from fantasy owners this term.

Funchess caught two passes (on four targets) for 19 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's win over the 49ers.

EDGE Analysis

Funchess' 16-yard touchdown salvaged an otherwise underwhelming outing, but it's worth noting that he led the Panthers' wide receivers in snaps played Sunday. Although Kelvin Benjamin also played over 62 percent of Carolina's offensive plays, which marked a significant improvement for Funchess following Week 1, Benjamin continued to dominate the looks, catching seven passes (on nine targets) for 108 yards and two scores. With heavily-used tight end Greg Olsen around as well, Funchess' upside is somewhat restricted on a weekly basis, but he's at least showed a knack for finding the end zone lately, scoring in seven of his last 14 games dating back to last season.

Funchess caught just one pass (on four targets) for nine yards in Thursday's season opener against the Broncos.

EDGE Analysis

Funchess entered Thursday's contest on the back of considerable praise throughout the preseason, but once the game kicked off, it was clear that Kelvin Benjamin and Greg Olsen were the Panthers' top targets. While those two were the only of Funchess' teammates to exceed his target total, his snap count was noticeably low. Whether Funchess' workload will expand in the coming weeks remains to be seen, but given how Benjamin and Olsen dominated the pass-game proceedings Thursday, it'll be worthwhile to track if there's enough room in Carolina's run-based offense for a third target to carve out a really meaningful fantasy role.

Funchess caught five passes for 49 yards on 10 targets in Friday's preseason game against the Patriots.

EDGE Analysis

The Carolina first-team offense played deep into the third quarter, with Funchess, Kelvin Benjamin, Ted Ginn and Brenton Bersin all getting significant run. Though Funchess seemed to operate as the No. 3 wideout, he did get a bunch of snaps in two-wide formations, replacing either Benjamin or Ginn. None of the bunch managed to impress, as the Panthers offense was an all-around disaster until third-string quarterback Joe Webb took over in the fourth quarter. While he may not have gained any ground Friday night, Funchess has reportedly made a strong impression during training camp, with wide receivers coach Ricky Proehl recently hinting that the second-year player might even push Benjamin for the No. 1 role. That's probably too much to expect, but Funchess could still have a key role early in the season, especially if Benjamin's conditioning remains problematic.

Wide receivers coach Ricky Proehl hinted Funchess may be pushing Kelvin Benjamin for Carolina's No. 1 WR role, the Panthers' official site reports. "To be honest with you, where Devin is right now and where Kelvin needs to get to, I think Devin is pushing Kelvin," Proehl said. "He's realizing, 'I've got to get back, I've got to push, because this guy (Funchess) is pretty dang good.'"

EDGE Analysis

Benjamin (6-5, 245) entered the league in 2014 as a first-round draft pick and proceeded to finish the year as fantasy's 15th-highest scoring wide receiver. Funchess (6-4, 225), on the other hand, was taken with a second-round selection in 2015 to presumably follow in the mold of Benjamin as the two profile similarly in size. Funchess was unable to replicate anywhere near the same level of success during his own rookie year (he finished as the 57th-highest scoring WR in 2015), though, even with Benjamin (knee) lost for the season. Looking ahead to 2016, both players figure to maintain fantasy appeal as key contributors in the Panthers' passing game, but TE Greg Olsen (6-5, 253) may have emerged as QB Cam Newton's favorite target in 2015, Ted Ginn is currently enjoying a late-career resurgence, and the Panthers attempted the seventh-lowest amount of passes in the NFL last year. Point being, Newton has a trio of healthy and big-bodied receivers to go along with a proven deep threat at his disposal, and there may simply not be enough targets to go around for either Benjamin nor Funchess to approach the numbers Benjamin did during his rookie campaign, regardless of who ends up atop the depth chart.

Funchess caught two passes for 19 yards on four targets in Saturday's preseason game against the Titans.

EDGE Analysis

Funchess, Kelvin Benjamin, Ted Ginn and Philly Brown all got significant work with the first-team offense, which may also be the case once the regular season begins. However, Funchess reportedly made a very strong impression at training camp, potentially giving himself a shot to beat out Ted Ginn for the No. 2 wide receiver job. Though not lacking in long-term upside, Funchess will have a hard time drawing enough targets to piece together a true breakout season. His outlook would improve drastically if Benjamin were to suffer another major injury.

Funchess was arguably the Panthers' most impressive performer during training camp, ESPN's David Newton reports.

EDGE Analysis

Funchess carries significant momentum into this season after scoring five touchdowns over the final nine regular season games of his rookie year. The 2015 second-rounder received high praise throughout the offseason, and his development showed during training camp, where he regularly beat Carolina's first-team cornerbacks. With a touchdown in the Panthers' preseason opener as well, the physically imposing Funchess could start the regular season as Carolina's most involved wide receiver, especially considering Kelvin Benjamin will be eased back from last year's torn ACL and has to improve his conditioning along the way.

Funchess caught his lone target for a 10-yard touchdown in Thursday's preseason opener against the Ravens.

EDGE Analysis

Funchess' score was a back-shoulder connection from second-stringer Derek Anderson toward the end of the first quarter. The second-year wideout used his big body well and showed good timing with his quarterback on the play. After a slow start, Funchess developed a knack for finding the end zone last year, scoring in five of the Panthers' final nine regular season games, and should see more involvement as Carolina's No. 2 wideout this term, even if Kelvin Benjamin presents another towering target opposite him.

Funchess is "light years ahead" of where he was as a rookie, according to coach Ron Rivera, and is a candidate for a breakout season this year.

EDGE Analysis

Funchess showed great progress over the course of his rookie season, scoring five touchdowns over his final nine games. In fact, he ended the regular season with seven catches for 120 yards and a score against the Buccaneers in Week 17. Now heading into his second season, the towering target should command significantly more looks in Carolina's offense, even as Greg Olsen and Kelvin Benjamin figure to be the Panthers' top two options in the passing game.

Panthers head coach Ron Rivera said Funchess has made significant progress since last season, Max Henson of the reports.

EDGE Analysis

A 2015 second-round selection, Funchess has reportedly been one of the standout performers at Carolina OTAs, coming off a rookie season in which he posted a 31-473-5 receiving line. Even with Kelvin Benjamin (torn ACL) set to return, Funchess could take a step forward in his second season, as he just recently turned 22 and boasts sub-4.6 speed in a 6-4, 225-pound frame. He'll compete for snaps against Ted Ginn and Philly Brown.