3 Panthers whose jobs are in jeopardy after 2020 NFL Draft
By Dean Jones
The Carolina Panthers heavily strengthened their defense during a historic 2020 NFL Draft, but what impact could it have on some veterans currently on the roster?
It provided to be a draft that will go down in history for the Carolina Panthers. They might not have initially planned it. But using every pick on defense was the first time an NFL team had ever done this with their incoming college recruits.
Few would dispute this was an absolute necessity given their concerning lack of depth going into the draft. They spent heavily on offense in free agency and now have some young, energetic players on the other side of the field that have the ability to play multiple positions.
While that might be good for the Panthers’ long term prospects during their rebuild, it does pose the question regarding some of the more experienced members of their roster. The franchise has parted ways with some influential figures such as Cam Newton, James Bradberry, and Mario Addison this offseason. They were also rocked by the retirement of perennial All-Pro Luke Kuechly after eight seasons of immense production in Carolina.
If the class of 2020 lives up to expectations early on. It could spell trouble for some high-earning players who do not have the potential to reach the same ceiling. This might not be the case next season. But if the Panthers’ top-end rookies prove their worth it is going to make things increasingly difficult for some current starters going forward.
Head coach Matt Rhule has made a real effort to go younger this offseason. This is unlikely to come with an immediate success in a difficult looking NFC South. But a rebuild is all about laying foundations and ridding the roster of overpaid players past their peak is always the best place to start.
Here are three players whose jobs could be in jeopardy after the 2020 season.