5 Carolina Panthers with the most to prove in 2020
By Dean Jones
CAROLINA PANTHERS. MATTPARADIS. 3. player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. 87. C
Carolina Panthers Player No. 3: Matt Paradis (OL)
To say Matt Paradis was disappointing for the Carolina Panthers in 2019 would be a massive understatement. The center was coming off a solid year of production. But he regressed noticeably and it has plunged his long-term future with the organization into doubt.
Paradis looked like a player devoid of any confidence last season. The Panthers’ offensive line struggled overall. And the spotlight will be on the interior next time around as they look to improve their fortunes.
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The player will also need to convince Carolina’s new coaching staff that he is worthy of seeing out his lucrative deal. If Paradis fails to do this either during camp or when competitive action finally gets underway, the Panthers could release him at an overall cap saving of more than $13 million, according to Spotrac.
This temptation might be too big to ignore. So Paradis will need to show some resolve and leave no doubt that he is the player to anchor Carolina on the line of scrimmage.
The Panthers have no other alternative other than to give Paradis another chance to make a go of things with the franchise. They didn’t invest heavily in bringing in quality reinforcements. And their draft class made offensive prospects an afterthought until undrafted free agency.
It is vital that Paradis grabs the initiative in a bid to make a return to the player of all. And his career with the Panthers probably depends on it.