The Carolina Panthers draft team might have struck big with second-round pick Jeremy Chinn, according to a recent report from ESPN Analytics.
Jeremy Chinn is the sort of athlete the Carolina Panthers draft team were looking for. The safety enjoyed a standout college career and has all the tools needed to make a real go of things at the next level.
The Panthers draft process eventually resulted in trading back into the second round to select Chinn. This was a bold move from a franchise that had only eight picks over the three days.
Chinn’s versatility and potential to make big plays is something that really stood out during the evaluation process. The Panthers draft was a historic one, with every pick being used on improving things on the defensive side of the ball.
A recent study by ESPN Analytics gave Chinn the best chance of reaching the Pro Bowl of any safety coming out of college this year. They gave the Southern Illinois product a 45 percent grade, which put him at No. 1 on the list ahead of Grant Delpit of the Cleveland Browns on 41%.
Other players on the list included Antoine Winfield Jr. (34%), Xavier McKinney (31%), and Ashtyn Davis (26%).
Chinn has the ability to play both safety positions. There is also the option of putting the player as a slot cornerback or even at outside linebacker should the opportunity arise.
This is something that no doubt endeared him to the Panthers draft team. But it will be interesting to see just how Chinn adapts to life in the NFL on a young-looking defense that is expected to go through more than its fair share of growing pains in 2020
Can Jeremy Chinn become a Pro Bowl player?
While the Pro Bowl distinction might have lost some of its allure in recent years. It would still represent a significant achievement for Jeremy Chinn.
There is no doubting the player comes with considerable upside. But there will be additional pressure on his shoulders after the Panthers draft team put so much faith in him by moving back into the second round.
Former Denver Broncos safety Steve Atwater is Chinn’s uncle and is no stranger to success himself. He is now a Pro Football Hall of Famer after reaching three All-Pro rosters and eight Pro Bowls.
Speaking to ESPN on Chinn’s prospects as a professional, Atwater had this to say.
"“He can do it all. He’s tough. He’s fast. He’s smart. He’s going to have a really good career, man. He’s faster than I was. Much faster than I was. The thing I like most is that he’s not afraid to step up and put his body in the way and create a big collision. That for me is still exciting. I know the game has got away from that, but it’s still kind of fun for old-school people me who like to see that physicality.”"
Chinn’s speed is something that has the potential to make a significant difference to the Panthers on the back end. They are expected to be under considerable pressure in the pass-happy NFC South in 2020. And how their young group stands up to the task is going to go a long way to determining whether they can defy the critics who have all-but written off their chances of a productive season.
The Panthers will need some secondary players to stand up and be counted after losing No. 1 cornerback James Bradberry to the New York Giants in free agency. They also released Eric Reid and decided not to bring back Ross Cockrell, who remains on the market.
This puts the onus on the Panthers draft picks to step in a fill the void. Especially when one considers the lack of salary cap space the franchise has to work with.
Chinn’s athleticism is there for all to see. He is a fantastic prospect and someone who could end up being a steal if the prospect lives up to his enormously high ceiling.