Panthers: Shaq Thompson in position to see increased role in 2018
The Carolina Panthers have a player waiting in the wings following the retirement of Thomas Davis at the conclusion of the season.
Carolina Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis is retiring, that much is certain. Usually, when a veteran retires, the team has to look for a replacement to fill the hole left by the retiree. Fortunately for the Panthers, the may not have to look very far. Third-year linebacker Shaq Thompson may be able to fill the void.
A former Washington Husky, Thompson was taken by the Panthers in the first round of the 2015 Draft (No. 25 overall.) Since coming to the team, Thompson has started in 14 games in all his three years in the league. His best season to this point came in 2016 when he recorded 39 tackles, 15 assists and two forced fumbles, including one that he took to the house for a touchdown.
More from Cat Crave
- Ranking the top-five QB prospects the Panthers could draft in 2023
- 4 remaining Carolina Panthers cap crunches after Damien Wilson release
- Could Duce Staley help Carolina Panthers land Jamaal Williams in 2023?
- How much could the Carolina Panthers afford to offer Lamar Jackson?
- 4 Panthers rumors to emerge from 2023 NFL Scouting Combine
In 2017, he recorded 37 tackles, 20 assists, two sacks, and a forced fumble in what was another solid all-around season for him.
Entering the 2018 campaign, Thompson’s role may become even bigger. There is a good possibility that he may get more snaps in preparation for life after Davis. Jourdan Rodrigue of the Charlotte Observer said Tuesday that Thompson may see more snaps as a way of passing the torch so to speak. He also noted that because of the transition, it may affect the Carolina draft board.
"Linebacker Thomas Davis, who has announced his retirement after 2018, expects his role to diminish in favor of Thompson, so Carolina might look for a defensive back in the draft who could rotate with Thompson in “Buffalo” should he play more snaps at traditional linebacker."
With this in mind, what should we expect from Thompson in 2018? I would expect him to start at least 14 games and record 45-plus tackles with 25-plus assists, at least 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble. As they try to transition him to Thomas Davis’ role, it would not be an exaggeration to expect a steady statistical increase next season.
Although losing Davis following the 2018 season will hurt the Panthers, they have capable players ready at the linebacker position. One of them is Thompson and he should be able to stabilize the defensive line in future years.