Panthers safety spotlight: Pending free agents, possible targets, 2023 draft outlook
In Week 17, cornerbacks C.J. Henderson and Keith Taylor took a lot of heat for allowing 432 passing yards against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a must-win game.
However, safety Xavier Woods was equally at fault on one of Mike Evans’ three long-ball touchdowns. On the play, quarterback Tom Brady fooled Woods by initially looking left after the snap. Woods took the bait and rotated toward Brady’s shoulders. Seconds later, Brady shifted right and unloaded a 57-yard touchdown to Evans down the right sideline.
One mental error should not define a season but Woods — who the team signed last offseason during free agency — was out of position when Carolina most needed him.
Woods’ play was representative of the team’s safety play all season: inconsistent. Jeremy Chinn sustained a hamstring injury in Week 4 and spent six weeks on injured reserve. Meanwhile, Carolina started five different safeties for the season. The team will likely look to add safety depth through the draft or free agency this offseason. Here are some options.
Pending free agents
Sean Chandler
Chandler has been one of the Panthers’ better special teams players during the past two seasons. He has served as a personal protector on punt coverage and he has been a missile on kickoffs. However, Chandler is a Temple graduate with ties to former coach Matt Rhule. It’s unclear whether he’ll be brought back considering the team already re-signed safeties Sam Franklin and Myles Hartsfield.
Juston Burris
Burris bounced on and off the 53-man roster for the past three years. He was elevated from the practice squad after interim coach Steve Wilks took over for Rhule this season. Burris played within the Panthers’ safety rotation and was used on special teams, but his skill set is redundant considering the safeties Carolina has under contract.
Under contract
Jeremy Chinn
Three years into his pro career, it’s unclear what exactly Chinn is best at. He’s good at everything a safety is asked to do. He can defend the run and hold his own in coverage though he has yet to excel in any one area. Sometimes, he can blanket a slot receiver or force a pass breakup. Other times, he looks better near the line of scrimmage attacking run fits and chasing the quarterback.
Defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero coached the Rams’ safeties for four years before becoming Los Angeles’ pass game coordinator and then the Broncos’ defensive coordinator. His background developing defensive backs will bode well for Chinn, who is an All-Pro talent.
Xavier Woods
Woods is expected to start at free safety again this season. He’s best playing center field or patrolling a deep half of the field in Cover 2 or quarters coverage. At 27 years old, the six-year pro is the veteran within the Panthers’ safety room.
Sam Franklin
Franklin led the Panthers in special teams tackles and was the third unit’s nominee for the Pro Bowl. He has quickly become a favorite among his teammates and coaches. Franklin’s work on special teams led to an enhanced role on defense.
He played a career-high 36 defensive snaps in Week 12 versus Denver, helping Carolina win. He’ll remain a special teams ace while having an opportunity to expand his defensive role under Evero.
Myles Hartsfield
The Panthers like Hartsfield’s versatility, as he was able to start at free safety and nickel corner last season. He also has some special teams ability. Hartsfield is a steady presence in the safety room who will keep doubling as a safety and slot defender.
Draft outlook
Ji’Ayir Brown, Penn State
Ji’Ayir Brown is a ballhawk. He was one of the nation’s most productive defensive backs during the past two seasons with nine interceptions and nine pass deflections. Brown has a knack for tracking long passes while not drawing pass interference flags.
Where Brown lands will depend on whether teams view him as a free or strong safety. He’s capable of playing either but focusing on a specific position and honing that skill set would maximize his diverse abilities.
Jay Ward, LSU
Jay Ward projects as a middle-round safety who can grow into a starter. He entered LSU as a cornerback before transitioning to safety. But Ward maintained his man-coverage skills while growing as a run supporter. At 6-foot-2, his range and length influence throws and force pass deflections.
Potential free agent options
Adrian Amos, Green Bay Packers
Do not anticipate the Panthers spending free agent money on a safety. Their safety room is already set. The team will look to add young talent in the draft because paying more than $4 million for a backup safety makes little sense.
If, however, Carolina wants another veteran then Amos should be affordable. He posted a career-high 102 tackles in 2022 and also tallied at least five pass breakups for the fifth straight year.
