Panthers’ biggest areas of concern that need fixing in training camp
.JPG "Carolina Panthers rookie tackle Brady Christensen, center, runs across the field with his teammates to begin drills during the teamÕs 2021 rookie minicamp practice on Friday, May 14, 2021.")
The Carolina Panthers will head into training camp deeper than they were in 2020 when they had to rely on a number of rookies and new players to start.
In particular, cornerback went from the thinnest position last season to one of the best after the Panthers signed veterans A.J. Bouye and Rashaan Melvin, and drafted Jaycee Horn eighth overall.
But there still are some positions that need to be addressed. The Panthers have about $24.4 million in cap space, which is third-most in the league, according to the NFL Player Association’s public salary cap database.
Panthers general manager Scott Fitterer said keeping some cap space, though, is important for the organization as they try to negotiate with future free agents.
“I know we have two or three players we’re talking to and that’s going to lead us to where we’re at,” Fitterer said. “We do want to save some money. We have to save a reserve in case guys get injured during the season.”
Safety
When the Panthers released safety Tre Boston earlier this offseason, it opened the door for Jeremy Chinn to get more reps at the position. So far he has, working with the safeties in OTAs and mandatory minicamp.
However, the Panthers still plan to use Chinn in a hybrid role, where he’d play safety and a little linebacker. And after Chinn, there’s no clear-cut answer as to who would play significant reps at safety opposite of Juston Burris.
That presents a problem. When Burris suffered a rib injury last season and was forced to miss multiple games, the Panthers started undrafted rookie Sam Franklin. Franklin played well at times, but he also made key mistakes.
In the Kansas City Chiefs game last season, he took responsibility for a miscommunication that led to a 28-yard touchdown catch from Patrick Mahomes to a wide-open Tyreek Hill.
Mistakes happen, and Franklin will likely be better this season, having had a season of experience. But it would be wise for the Panthers to add another veteran in case things don’t work out.
Kenny Robinson Jr., who was drafted in the fifth round of the 2020 draft, is also an option, but he doesn’t have starting experience.
The Panthers tried out veteran safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix at their mandatory minicamp last month but opted not to sign him.
“We’re going to look at some speed on the back end,” Fitterer said. “That’s one of the priorities. We brought in a couple of vets, we took a look at them, we didn’t sign them at that point, but they are guys we would go to in case there is an emergency or someone goes down in camp.”
Left tackle
The Panthers still don’t have a definite answer at left tackle.
They signed Cameron Erving, 28, to a two-year, $10 million deal in March to compete for the starting left tackle spot.
Erving, who has dealt with injuries for much of his career, was in a red non-contact jersey during OTAs and mandatory minicamp because of an injury. He’s expected to return and be full health at training camp, Panthers coach Matt Rhule said.
However, Erving has only played a full 16 games once in his career, and that was when he was a rookie. Pro Football Focus also gave him a 58 overall blocking grade in 2020, primarily because of his run blocking. He allowed only one sack in 162 passing blocking situations and eight pressures.
Outside of Erving, other options at left tackle — Trent Scott, Greg Little and Dennis Daley — have primarily been backups.
Right tackle Taylor Moton is also being considered at left tackle, Rhule said, but that option is less likely.
Linebacker
The Panthers have a solid core at linebacker with Shaq Thompson, Jermaine Carter, Denzel Perryman and Haason Reddick as an edge rusher.
But the depth behind those players is thin. If one of those players gets hurt, then the Panthers would have a problem.
Chinn will also play some linebacker, but not nearly as much as he played in 2020. The Panthers need to add depth. Perryman, while one of the best run-stuffers in the league, has a history of injuries.
He has never played a full 16-game season, nor has he played more than 500 defensive snaps in a season. The Panthers need a backup plan.
Julian Stanford returns as a backup, but he primarily played special teams in 2020.
“Overall, I like where we’re at, but we’re never set,” Fitterer said. “We’re going to always look to improve. I think you’re going to see through camp this year, there’s going to be a lot of turnover on the roster and we’re going to take a look at different guys.”
This story was originally published July 28, 2021 at 6:00 AM.
