Carolina Panthers: Jordan Scarlett a bright spot in defeat
The Carolina Panthers rookie played well.
It’s no secret that, for the most part, the Carolina Panthers had a rough game on Friday night. With many negatives to take away from the game, it was hard to find any positives. However, despite the unfortunate evening, one player did stand out.
Running back Jordan Scarlett had a great game on Friday. He led the Carolina Panthers in rushing, carrying the ball eight times for 35 yards. He also had one catch for 14 yards. He showed that he could run hard and run well, both of which are certainly a good sign. With the Carolina Panthers drafting him in hopes that he could take some pressure off Christian McCaffrey, he certainly took a step in the right direction. He seized the moment, and used it to build his case to be the second string running back.
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
As a rookie, having a night like the one he did on Friday was especially important. The running back position is deep, and Carolina has a lot of options at the position. Scarlett proved he is definitely worth a second look. It was similar to many of the games he had while a member of the Florida Gators. He ran the ball well in Gainesville, and he proved to be a solid option out of the backfield. Now, Scarlett looks to bring that same type of hard-nosed mentality to Carolina.
If he can continue to show his physicality as a runner, he will undoubtedly find a spot on the team. The physicality would be exactly what Carolina brought him here for. The speed and receiving ability of McCaffrey combined with the physicality of Scarlett would make for a dynamic combination. Scarlett knows that physicality is exactly why the Carolina Panthers brought him in.
"“Definitely. That’s the plan all the time. I’m very physical,” Scarlett said. “That’s what they brought me here for to show my physicality to the team.”"
The youth movement at the running back position is certainly exciting. Scarlett is undoubtedly a part of that. It will be interesting to see how he progresses over the course of camp. If Friday night’s game is any indication, these next couple of weeks could be his chance to show what he is made of. If anything, I would predict an upward trajectory for the rookie.