Carolina Panthers: Corn Elder is impressing in training camp

The Carolina Panthers should be excited that Elder is stepping up.

With the Carolina Panthers next preseason game against the Buffalo Bills only a couple of days away, the team headed back out to the practice field on Sunday. On a hot practice field, the Panthers went through a spirited practice as noted by the reporters and writers who were there. One name kept jumping out in all of their practice observations: Corn Elder.

This is a very interesting name to jump out. There is no doubt he can play at a high level, but he has left a lot to be desired over the past couple of seasons. Now, he looks to be a veteran, stabilizing presence at the nickel position. With a good mix of veterans and perhaps the most intriguing young player on the defensive unit in Rashaan Gaulden, Elder certainly has to put together a couple of good practices in order to make himself stand out.

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By all accounts, he did that on Sunday. He was very active, according to multiple reports, and that was great to see. He is a player that needs to continue to work at separating himself, and making himself stand out. There are several names on the defensive side of the football are in the same position as Elder’s. However, due to the fact that Elder is a veteran, the pressure to perform is a little bit greater.

However, Elder has been used to having the odds stacked against him. Drafted in 2017 out of Miami, the fifth round, 132nd overall pick has faced adversity before. Now in his third year, he undoubtedly is trying to take all of the lessons he learned and is working on putting them together. His experience over some of the younger players on the defense may help him in this situation. He is going to need everything to go his way in order for him to be successful in 2019. Sunday, he certainly practiced with that sense of urgency as reported by Max Henson of Panthers.com.

"Nickel cornerback Corn Elder was real active throughout the practice. Elder was constantly around the ball applying tight coverage. Safety Tre Boston’s unmistakable “YEAH, CORN!” cheer was heard several times. Unfortunately, Elder’s best play could have been better. He beautifully jumped a pass from Kyle Allen to the sideline, but failed to hang on for the interception."

This is the type of energy that he needs to have if he wants to show the coaching staff he can be a valued part of the secondary. It may sound a little cutthroat to suggest that he’s not. However, that is the nature of the business. There are many players who are vying for the same spot and playing time as he is. So far, it appears that he is making the most of his opportunities.

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I would love to see Corn Elder succeed. He can certainly be a tremendous depth piece to an already well-functioning unit. The Carolina Panthers are going to need all hands on deck if they want to compete with not only a talented division, but a talented league.

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