4 players the Carolina Panthers shouldn’t have let get away
By Dean Jones
Pick Analysis. BRUCEIRVIN. player. Scouting Report. EDGE. WEST VIRGINIA. 2. 87
Carolina Panthers Player No. 2: Bruce Irvin (EDGE)
While the Carolina Panthers made some eye-catching moves to bolster their defensive front seven this offseason. They could have done with a veteran presence such as Bruce Irvin to further assist them during a period of transition.
The versatile edge player can operate either at defensive end or outside linebacker. And he was one of the bright spots on an otherwise struggling defense in 2019.
Despite their relative lack of ability to stop the run, Irvin still managed to produce some good stats that caught the attention of other teams across the league. The Panthers might be regretting offering the former first-round pick a one-year deal. This allowed the player to pursue other avenues and land on a team with a more realistic chance of contending.
Irvin eventually signed a one-year deal with the Seattle Seahawks that could be worth $5.5 million if he reaches his targets. Although the player is now in the twilight of his career, he did manage to pick up eight sacks in Carolina last season on a defense that was dismal overall.
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Having Irvin around for a couple more seasons would have done more good than harm. It would have allowed defensive coordinator Phil Snow to live him up opposite Shaq Thompson at outside linebacker. And there would have been plenty of room to work with thanks to No. 7 overall pick Derrick Brown and Kawann Short commanding so much attention on the interior.