Carolina Panthers: 4 underhyped rookies heading into 2020

Carolina Panthers Player No. 2: Stantley Thomas-Oliver III (CB)

Stantley Thomas-Oliver III rounded off a historic NFL Draft for the Carolina Panthers that allocated every pick on defense for the first time in league history. The cornerback is not expected to be an immediate contributor. But he is relatively raw in terms of experience and there could be plenty more to come.

Thomas-Oliver started off his career at Florida International as a wide receiver before making the move over to the other side of the field. This is a challenge that proved to be the making of him. And with a little more development in an NFL environment, there is real potential he could eventually become a starter.

A lot has to happen between now and then. But this is an area of the field that represents some concern for the Panthers going into 2020. Only Donte Jackson is back for their starting core from last season. And it remains to see how the likes of Eli Apple and fourth-rounder Troy Pride Jr. will fare against some elite passing attacks on the schedule.

Carolina didn’t pick up Thomas-Oliver with a view to him becoming a plug and play starter. He will be a work in progress. But if the player continues to pick up the position at his current rate. Then it could result in a spot on the rotation sooner than expected.

This makes Thomas-Oliver an underhyped rookie going into training camp. And there is also a potential for the player to make an impact on special teams during his first year as a professional.