Carolina Panthers Week 1 roster prediction – Defense
Safety (4)
Rashaan Gaulden, Colin Jones, Cole Luke, Eric Reid
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Releasing Da’Norris Searcy put the spotlight clearly on Rashaan Gaulden and Colin Jones for who starts opposite Eric Reid in the back end of the Panthers defense. While the possibility remains Carolina could seek to sign a free agent, if the current roster stays in tact the battle for a fourth safety position should be fun to watch.
Cole Luke spent all of 2018 on the Panthers practice squad and a year later could finally get the call up for game day. Battling undrafted free agent Corrion Ballard, fellow practice squad teammate Kai Nacua and a healthy Damian Parms, the competition will be close.
Ultimately, Gaulden needs to prove himself capable of being an every down player and if not the Panthers will have to turn to Jones or look elsewhere for an answer. Regardless, Carolina is thin at the safety position and it may be the weakest positional group on the overall roster.
If the revamped defensive front fails to generate pressure, this unit could be under duress all season long.
dark. Next. Week 1 Roster Prediction - Offense
Stay tuned for the final Week 1 projections, featuring special teams players, coming soon.