Sam Darnold vs. Matt Corral and the 4 things you shouldn’t miss at Panthers OTAs
Panthers general manager Scott Fitterer said just months ago that the quarterback job was up for grabs.
“We need stability at the quarterback position, whether that is Sam or someone else, someone needs to take hold of that position and hold that,” Fitterer said at the NFL Scouting Combine. “Right now, it’s open.”
Those comments were made in March. Since then, the Panthers identified who that “someone else” is by drafting rookie quarterback Matt Corral in Round 3 (No. 94 overall). Carolina’s quest for quarterback stability began Monday and will intensify over the next three weeks as the Panthers enter the third phase of voluntary organized team activities (OTAs).
Players and coaches will now have 10 days stretched over three weeks to work together on the field at full speed, but without contact or pads. In-person meetings can also be held. The phase will end with a three-day mandatory minicamp June 14-16.
The Panthers’ roster again experienced significant turnover. There could be as many as 11 new starters for Carolina this season. About 90 players are competing for positions up and down the roster.
Here are five things to watch for during Panthers’ OTAs.
1. Sam Darnold and Matt Corral in Ben McAdoo’s offense
During rookie minicamp last month, it was impossible not to notice new offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo at Panthers practice. His enthralling presence had nothing to do with his new hairstyle or taller-in-person statue. Rather, the 44-year-old former Giants head coach thoroughly commands his offense. He’s respectfully loud, effectively holding players’ attention when speaking. He wastes no time. Each drill and every play has a clearly defined purpose.
“He knows exactly what he wants. There’s no gray area. Everyone understands what we’re asking them to be done,” Rhule said of McAdoo. “The quarterbacks are working at a really high level and a lot is being thrown at the guys. We’re throwing installs at the guys. I think if you talk to some of our current players, they would say they’re being challenged. But it’s all organized and detailed. And they’re being held to a high standard.”
McAdoo, Corral and Darnold take the field together for the first time this week. How McAdoo divvies reps between Darnold and Corral will be worth monitoring. Corral spent a lot of time at McAdoo’s side during rookie minicamp. Does that change with Darnold around? We’ll see.
Considering how wide-open the starting job is, Darnold is not in a position to tutor Corral. Though the organization intends to bring Corral along slowly, Darnold versus Corral will be a position battle to monitor through the summer and into training camp.
2. Finding a pass rush opposite Brian Burns
The Panthers still need help at pass rusher. The free-agent pool of edge rushers recently thinned as Melvin Ingram signed with Miami and Jadeveon Clowney returned to Cleveland on a one-year deal. OTAs provide Carolina its first hands-on look at possible Haason Reddick replacements.
Reddick left for Philadelphia via free agency — signing a three-year, $45 million deal — and left a gaping hole opposite Pro Bowler Brian Burns, who is also seeking a long-term contract. The team plans on replacing Reddick’s team-high 11 sacks and 18 quarterback hits with a team effort. Carolina has high hopes for linebacker Frankie Luvu, who the team extended with a two-year, $9 million deal this offseason. (He only counted $1.1 million against the cap in 2021.) Yetur Gross-Matos, Marquis Haynes, and rookie Amaré Barno will also be a part of the defensive end rotation.
OTAs allow Carolina its first opportunity at identifying a rotation capable of filling Reddick’s 859 defensive snaps, which were tied for second-most on the team.
3. Who is the Panthers’ No. 3 wide receiver?
Carolina has two clear-cut receivers in D.J. Moore and Robbie Anderson. A healthy Christian McCaffrey will also dominate targets in McAdoo’s offense. But the Panthers will deploy plenty of 11 personnel (one running back, one tight end, and three wide receivers), making the No. 3 receiver a battle worth watching.
Second-year player Terrace Marshall Jr. should be the early favorite to play beside Moore and Anderson. Carolina selected the former LSU receiver No. 59 overall in 2021 with those exact hopes. The Panthers also signed veteran receiver Rashard Higgins this offseason. Higgins, a Colorado State product, played all six years of his pro career in Cleveland, where he appeared in 82 games and totaled 137 catches for 1,890 yards and 12 touchdowns. He posted career highs in yards (599) and touchdowns (4) in 2020.
Brandon Zylstra and Shi Smith are also expected to compete for valuable No. 3 receiver reps.
4. Jaycee Horn back on the field
Panthers 2021 first-pick Jaycee Horn impressed early in his NFL career before breaking his foot in Week 3, prematurely ending his rookie season. Horn has made a full recovery and should be a full participant in OTAs.
The dynamic rookie, who is capable of thriving in any coverage, will likely start opposite of Donte Jackson this season. Carolina has one of the deepest secondary units in the NFC and Horn is one of the reasons why. He’s long, quick, physical and confident. Competing against him for the first time since September will be a challenge for the Panthers’ offense.
Defensive coordinator Phil Snow must decide how he deploys Horn and the other cornerbacks around him. Carolina traded for 2020 first-rounder C.J Henderson last year. The team also likes Myles Hartsfield as an early-down nickel corner. Keith Taylor, a 2021 fifth-rounder, appeared in all 17 games last year and started three.
Snow and defensive backs coach Steve Wilks must figure out what combination of defensive backs best complements their defense.
