Panthers vs. Jets: Offensive line lets Bryce Young down, Sam Franklin makes big play
If Panthers fans were concerned about how rookie Bryce Young’s relatively small frame would handle NFL-style hits in the pocket, Saturday’s exhibition matchup against the New York Jets at Bank of America Stadium proved that the 5-foot-10, 204-pound quarterback can take a wallop and get back up.
The first overall pick in the NFL Draft took seven drop backs against the Jets and was hit on three plays, including a third-down sack to end his preseason debut. Young was smacked hard by the likes of Jermaine Johnson, Bryce Huff and Quinton Jefferson during first three drives, as the Carolina offensive line failed to keep the quarterback upright.
Young didn’t perform poorly, though, as he got the ball out as quickly as possible and avoided interceptions, even as massive linemen came barreling in on him. He completed 4 of 6 passes for 21 yards during three series, while taking a beating behind a blocking group that’s been praised locally and nationally during the offseason.
Young’s rough intro, brought on by a tepid performance by the offensive line, was a preview of what was to come for the rest of the lackluster afternoon.
The Panthers lost, 27-0, but that result doesn’t matter. What does matter is that Carolina’s offensive line showed quite a few issues that need to be squashed during the next two preseason games.
TRAINING CAMP PRACTICE RECAPS: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 | Day 8 | Day 9 | Day 10 | Jets Joint Practice
Below are the Panthers’ standouts and stragglers in the Preseason Week 1 Stock Watch:
Stock up
OLB Amare Barno
After somewhat forgettable spring and summer performances, Barno came alive early in Saturday’s exhibition matchup. He made a great stop at the 20-yard line on the opening kickoff. Later on, he closed out a promising Jets offensive drive to start the second quarter with a sack for a 15-yard loss. Barno did a nice job of getting past former first-round pick Mekhi Becton for the sack of backup quarterback Zach Wilson.
Barno is competing with dark horses like Eku Leota and Kobe Jones for a spot on the deeper end of the depth chart. With his athletic upside and special teams prowess, Barno could be a keeper, even if this writer has left him off his previous two 53-man roster projections.
RB Spencer Brown
Brown, a practice-squad holdover, made an excellent, tackle-breaking 13-yard run to end the first half. He was also featured on the first-team kick return unit on special teams. During the game, Brown ran eight times for 34 yards and caught three passes for 4 yards in an otherwise listless afternoon for the Panthers’ offense. Brown is competing with Camerun Peoples (who didn’t receive a touch against the Jets) to force the Panthers to keep four running backs.
CB CJ Henderson
The former first-round pick was given some playing time in the second quarter and made a pass breakup against the Jets’ first-team offense. Again, this appearance was limited, but in a night of disappoint for the Panthers, Henderson did his job. Henderson had a really strong camp — even though he was sidelined for a couple of practices — and this performance was good enough to keep the feel-good summer going.
DB Eric Rowe
The veteran defensive back put a great hit on an unsuspecting running back in the first half and woke up the defense a bit. He also made an excellent tackle for a loss on a red-zone stop up the middle against the run. Rowe is a savvy veteran who can contribute in the secondary and on special teams. He could be the victim of the numbers game when it’s all said and done. But on Saturday, he was a standout.
DB Sam Franklin
The Panthers’ top special teams ace made an excellent play on defense in the third quarter. Franklin read quarterback Tim Boyle’s eyes and jumped a route to collect an interception and get the ball back for his offense. Franklin is a player who wants to find a role in a crowded safety room, along with his special teams work, and plays like that one will help him earn some extended looks during the preseason and practice. Franklin has the versatility to play safety and linebacker, and he collected a tackle for loss on the night.
LB Chandler Wooten
Wooten, who like Franklin is known for his special teams prowess, had a decent outing on defense. Wooten was all over the field as an inside linebacker and made a few stops in the process. Wooten is competing for the final inside linebacker spot with Brandon Smith and Ace Eley, and he easily had the strongest performance of the trio in their preseason opener. Wooten finished with seven tackles on the night.
WR Derek Wright
The Utah State alum did a nice job of getting open throughout the second half. After a spirited performance throughout the offseason and then into the summer, Wright added to his case for a roster spot against the Jets. He led the Panthers with three catches for 35 yards in the first exhibition game. Wright is competing with Shi Smith — who made a great 20-yard catch in the fourth quarter — and others for a potential sixth wideout spot. He’s definitely an underdog entering the final two weeks of the preseason.
UPDATE: Wright sustained a knee injury during the penultimate offensive series of the game.
OLB DJ Johnson
The third-round pick wasn’t a standout during training camp, but on Saturday he was quite active. He finished with three tackles and had a tackle-for-loss late in the game in the red zone. Johnson appealed to the Panthers as an edge-setter and he did a solid job of that in the opener. Johnson’s NFL debut was a solid step in the right direction for his development.
Stock down
The starting offensive line
Yikes! The Panthers’ starting offensive line — with Cade Mays and Justin McCray rotating in for an absent Austin Corbett at right guard — looked pedestrian against the Jets’ defense. Young played just 11 snaps and was hit three times, including a sack on a third-down play by Jets defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson. Left tackle Ikem Ekwonu had a couple of rough moments, as he allowed pressure against Bryce Huff and Solomon Thomas on the opening drive.
The Panthers can’t be happy with the initial performance of their first-team unit, as Young barely got to breathe behind the line, which has been praised by local and national media all offseason.
QB Matt Corral
The second-year quarterback didn’t really rise to the challenge against the Jets. With Andy Dalton sporting a ball cap on the sideline, Corral was the second quarterback in the game for the Panthers, and his performance was mediocre.
He completed 15 of 22 passes (68.2%) for 126 yards and an end-of-game interception. During his time in the game, he also failed to get the Panthers in scoring position with seven series at the helm.
Corral didn’t get much help from his offensive line, but he also held the ball for way too long on quite a few plays. Box score watching doesn’t tell the story here, as Corral didn’t look all that sharp. He had a handful of off-the-mark throws.
Corral also fumbled away a ball after being strip-sacked up the middle by defensive tackle Bruce Hector, who also recovered the ball. Corral wasn’t completely to blame for the turnover, but it was another instance of him holding the ball for a long period. Corral needs to show he’s worth stashing on the 53-man roster, and Saturday’s effort left a lot to be desired.
The backup offensive line
The depth on the offensive line was certainly tested against the Jets, and it felt like a failure for most of James Campen’s crew. Backup left tackle Cam Erving and backup right tackle Michael Jordan both gave up sacks with the second-team unit.
While Corral didn’t do a great job of getting the ball out quickly, the backup quarterback constantly faced pressure. Again, this group was considered a strength of the team’s offense before the preseason, but now it’s offering up quite a bit of concern midway through the summer.
Quick hits
▪ The following players were held from Saturday’s game: RB Miles Sanders (groin); K Eddy Piñeiro (groin); G Austin Corbett (PUP-ACL); G Nash Jensen (undisclosed); OLB Marquis Haynes (back); OLB Jordan Thomas (undisclosed); G Chandler Zavala (hamstring); OLB Brian Burns; OLB Justin Houston; TE Stephen Sullivan (undisclosed); and CB Mac McCain.
▪ Wideout Shi Smith left the game in the third quarter with a shoulder injury. He was helped off the field and taken to the medical tent on the sideline. He later returned to the field in the fourth quarter.
▪ Erving (knee, ankle) left the game in the fourth quarter and did not return to action. Defensive end Henry Anderson suffered a foot injury in the first half.
▪ Mays, who started at right guard, also played center and right tackle during the game. Mays is known for his versatility, which could save the Panthers a roster spot on cut-down day.
More training camp reading at charlotteobserver.com:
▪ Panthers stock watch: Shenault, Marshall surge during camp, Haynes loses momentum
▪ Panthers safety Xavier Woods says everyone knows what he needs to improve on in 2023
▪ Under-the-radar Panthers defender wants to ‘take up space’ to benefit his teammates
▪ For Panthers offense to get better, this player must come back. But he’s not ready yet
▪ He’s a huge Carolina Panthers fan and podcaster. He’s also an inspiration
▪ How Panthers lineman went from loading Amazon trucks to signing with hometown team
This story was originally published August 12, 2023 at 6:56 PM.
