Carolina Panthers: Rising star, breakout player, rebound player, and more

Dark Horse: Brendan Mahon, OL

Remember the name Brendan Mahon. The former Penn State offensive lineman has been turning heads throughout the course of training camp and he may very well find a spot on the roster.

Mahon had a tremendous senior campaign, being named to the Pro Football Focus Big Ten Team of the Week on September 5 as well as being given the Dick Maginnis Memorial Award which is given to the best offensive lineman in the Penn State program. He must have done something right if running back Saquon Barkley was selected as the second pick in the Draft back in April.

With the trouble the Carolina Panthers are experiencing on the offensive line, Mahon could very well be a dark horse candidate. Mahon knows he is going to have to work hard as he told the Charlotte Observer earlier this week.

“I’m trying to take advantage of my opportunity and really hone in on my skills,” he said. “The thing that’s getting me going is that my back is against the wall. I don’t have some of the luxuries that the drafted guys do. I come out here every day and work hard, and try to be successful, put the pedal to the metal and play hard-nose football.”

Being undrafted, he does have a steep hill to climb. Should he continue to perform well and make the team, he is certainly a dark horse candidate. He fills an area of need and is impressing. That is about all you can ask for.