Panthers depth chart: How will ILB spot cope without Kuechly?

Panthers depth chart: The projected starter

The Carolina Panthers depth chart might have lost the services of Luke Kuechly. But they do have a productive veteran to come in and fill the void.

Tahir Whitehead was a tackling machine for the Las Vegas Raiders last season and was given a one-year deal worth $2.5 million to join the Panthers. He enjoyed a superb two years in Oakland and will provide the roster with an assured presence to plug the gap in 2020.

There is the possibility Whitehead gets a longer-term commitment from the Panthers if he performs well. The former fifth-round selection out of Temple is still only 30-years-of-age, so if he produces the same sort of numbers in a new environment then there is nothing to suggest this is going to be a short-term stay in Carolina.

The onus will be on Whitehead to make the spot his own for the remainder of his career. Carolina’s decision-makers do have more financial wiggle room on their salary cap in 2021. So if things don’t work out they will be in a better position to be more prominent players on the free-agent market.

Whitehead will be a vocal presence on and off the field, which is going to be almost as important. This is a roster that looks devoid of significant veteran leadership and it will be up to the player and other to steer the defense in the right direction.

He is not going to offer much in coverage. But Whitehead is going to get plenty of opportunities to showcase his tackling ability with so many outstanding pass-rushers and space eaters operating around him.