Panthers stock watch: Young makes most of starter reps, 2022 draft picks might not fit
The Carolina Panthers completed the first major phase of their offseason roster evaluation process last week. And with organized team activities and mandatory minicamp in the rear-view mirror, general manager Scott Fitterer and head coach Frank Reich will await the dog days of summer when they can watch their players in pads during training camp.
In the meantime, the coaching staff should have a solid feel for the talent it has on the roster.
Though defensive line coach Todd Wash called OTAs and minicamp “gym class” in May, the padless practices are still helpful tools in understanding who fits the new defensive scheme and who could thrive in the Panthers’ offense this season.
The media was able to attend three of the 10 OTA workouts and both days of mandatory minicamp. During those five workouts, some of the Panthers’ playmakers stood out routinely, while others failed to make a big impression.
Here is first edition of The Observer’s offseason stock watch:
Stock Up
QB Bryce Young
The NFL Draft’s first overall pick made splash plays in all three media-attended OTA sessions. Young was given all of the first-team reps at quarterback during the final three workouts of the offseason program, and he performed relatively well against the heightened competition.
Young’s bounce-back ability was put on display throughout his rookie offseason program. While he wasn’t perfect or dominant in the padless practices, he was clearly the best quarterback on the field during every workout.
Young has lived up to his draft billing from football IQ and temperament standpoints.
OLB Marquis Haynes
No one benefited from mandatory minicamp more than Haynes, who was routinely in the backfield during the back-to-back days of workouts. Haynes had at least three would-be sacks during the two practices, and it’d be fair to tack a couple more tallies on his stat sheet because of how often he blazed past the offensive line.
Haynes is competing to start opposite Brian Burns at outside linebacker, and so far, he’s looked like a strong fit for the new 3-4 front. The Panthers could still look to upgrade at the position ahead of training camp, but Haynes has at least shown that he deserves an expanded role under new defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero.
DB/LB Jeremy Chinn
Chinn had a really strong offseason program as he drew genuine praise from teammates and coaches during OTAs. He made a couple of big plays in coverage during workouts that he couldn’t make last year. As the big nickel corner, Chinn has shown improved coverage ability and field awareness.
Obviously, padded practices could tell a different story, but Chinn looks like a completely different player under the new staff. Entering his contract year, Chinn needs a big year to earn a major payday.
LB Shaq Thompson
Like Chinn, Thompson looks much improved under the new staff. He was a heat-seeking missile in practice, moving and reacting quickly in space. While Thompson is entering the presumed twilight of his career, he has shown that taking a massive pay cut didn’t hurt his confidence on the field.
Thompson is a clear centerpiece of the new defense, and his response to his reduced pay and the new front has been a very good sign for the new regime. Thompson could be in for a big year this season.
RB Raheem Blackshear
Reich was quick to highlight Blackshear as an offseason program standout last week. The second-year running back was used heavily within the offense, and he showed off his trademark shiftiness in practice. Reich has a history of favoring gadget-like weapons in the backfield, and Blackshear has a comparable skill set to former Indy favorite Nyheim Hines at running back.
If Blackshear continues to stand out, he could have a major role in the offense this year.
CB Stantley Thomas-Oliver
Thomas-Oliver is known for his special teams prowess, but the cornerback has impressed his teammates and coaches with his intelligence and versatility on defense this offseason. With Jaycee Horn (ankle) and Donte Jackson (Achilles) sidelined, Thomas-Oliver played a lot of reps during the final two weeks of offseason workouts. He was able to show off his skill set as both a boundary corner and a nickel defender.
Jackson pointed Thomas-Oliver out as a standout of the offseason program. After missing most of last season due to injury, Thomas-Oliver could earn a bigger role on defense with the new staff in place.
Stock Down
OLB Amare Barno
On paper, Barno’s athleticism should have made him a strong fit for the new 3-4 front. However, during the practices open to the media, it was easy to forget that he was on the roster. While he is making the adjustment to a new position, Haynes and Yetur Gross-Matos are in a similar spot, and both have seemingly exceeded expectations with the transition.
Barno, who has a rare speed-size combination, should have been a standout during padless practice. Instead, he became a visual afterthought with the deep depth groups. Barno, a sixth-round pick last year, needs to put together a strong training camp to stick around for another season in Carolina.
LB Brandon Smith
With Thompson and Frankie Luvu thriving in front of him, Smith — last year’s fourth-round pick — is working with the depth groups. While Smith, like Barno, is an excellent athlete, it’s still hard to get a feel for what he can do on defense. Veteran Kamu Grugier-Hill appears to be penciled in as the main backup for Thompson and Luvu, so Smith will need to have a strong camp to pick up snaps on defense.
Obviously, it’s still early in the transition process with the new 3-4 front, and Smith has a worthwhile draft pedigree, but it’s hard to see where he fits on the depth chart beyond being a special teams contributor. Padded practices will be important in the evaluation process, and Smith could easily stick out in that phase.
WR Shi Smith
The Panthers went out of their way to stack the depth chart with receivers who could play in the slot this offseason. With Adam Thielen, DJ Chark, Johnathan Mingo and Damiere Byrd joining the position group, Smith was already facing an uphill battle to earn a job on the 53-man roster.
Holdover receivers Terrace Marshall, Laviska Shenault and Derek Wright out-shined Smith during the offseason program. And while Smith provided the occasional impressive play in front of the media, he didn’t really take to the offense like his peers did during the five weeks of workouts.
Smith’s special teams upside also took a major hit with the new kickoff rule. While he can return punts, Byrd and Blackshear can also thrive in that role. Smith needs to put together a phenomenal camp in Spartanburg to stay in a Panthers uniform.
This story was originally published June 19, 2023 at 6:00 AM.
