Carolina Panthers: Team decides to part ways with Rashaan Gaulden
The Carolina Panthers made a minor transaction on Monday.
The Rashaan Gaulden experiment is no longer. On Monday, the Carolina Panthers announced that they waived the defensive back.
He was selected by the team in the third-round in 2018. He recorded 20 tackles in his Panthers career. This year, he tallied three tackles on special teams, and one tackle on defense.
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It’s the end to what was an underwhelming tenure with the Carolina Panthers. I had high hopes for him heading into the season, but they never materialized. At Tennessee, he was known for his athleticism and his ability to play multiple positions. That never transpired in Carolina.
His final game with the Carolina Panthers on Sunday was one to forget. For starters, he ran into DJ Moore and caused a fumble on a punt return. He then was part of offsetting penalties in a shoving match following a kick return.
The 2018 draft class could definitely be considered a successful one. Gaulden would be the outlier in a group that looks to help shape the Carolina Panthers future. Hopefully, he can find work elsewhere and become a productive player. I just don’t think the Carolina Panthers were the right fit for him.
They had a bunch of talent on defense coming into the season, and that never really changed. Sure, he put up some impressive numbers. However, they were numbers that weren’t large enough and impactful enough for him to stay. In addition, once Eric Reid found his groove in Carolina, that made it tough for Gaulden to find playing time.
It is best for both the Carolina Panthers and Gaulden to change scenery. I definitely believe he can be a productive player in the National Football League. He just has to find the right situation. Of course, that is easier said than done but especially in the passing-heavy NFL, he should be able to find a spot. I wish him all the best of luck moving forward, and hope he finds a home soon.