Which Carolina Panthers could be affected more than most with no preseason games ahead of the 2020 campaign?
The Carolina Panthers will have no preseason games before their week one opener against the Las Vegas Raiders. This has the potential to have significant ramifications for teams league-wide. And although it is probably the safest option in the current climate. It does not detract from what a detrimental impact it could have on a revamped roster and brand-new coaching staff.
Very little is expected of the Carolina Panthers in 2020. And not having a preseason to hone chemistry and communication on the field is going to further hamper their chances of surprising people. They will get the chance to work on their respective skillset during training camp. But that is no substitute for getting on the field in a competitive setting.
Having no preseason is an absolute disaster for those on the roster bubble and undrafted free agents looking for a chance. The Panthers might decide to go with those who boast more experienced rather than take their chances on an unproven prospect that has spent no time in the NFL.
This is the nature of the beast at this time of year. But the impact of no preseason fixtures also has the potential to affect even the most seasoned professionals.
Carolina has brought in a wealth of fresh faces in pursuit of turning around their fortunes. But gelling together in a short space of time is going to be a mammoth task.
Here are four Panthers who could be affected most by the lack of preseason games in 2020.
Carolina Panthers Player No. 1: Teddy Bridgewater (QB)
There is little doubting the immense pressure that Teddy Bridgewater is under in 2020. The Carolina Panthers invested a lot in making him their quarterback of the future. And he will need to deliver from the outset.
Few would argue that Bridgewater is not deserving of such an opportunity. The player almost lost his career and leg during a freak training camp injury with the Minnesota Vikings. And he has worked exceptionally hard to get another starting spot.
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Not having a preseason has the potential to do the signal-caller more harm than good. He is already going to be under tremendous scrutiny playing in the wake of an iconic player in Cam Newton. And if Bridgewater starts poorly, it will not take long for the Panthers’ to voice their displeasure.
One thing Bridgewater does have going for him is a previous relationship with offensive coordinator Joe Brady. The pair worked together during their time with the New Orleans Saints. But developing chemistry with a gifted wide receiver group will need time that the former first-round pick just doesn’t have.
The player’s cohesion with center Matt Paradis is another crucial element to Bridgewater’s chances of making an instant impression. The former first-round pick will also need to work on timing with his All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey. So it is important he makes every training camp session count.
Carolina Panthers Player No. 2: Jordan Mack (LB)
One of the more intriguing pickups by the Carolina Panthers during the undrafted free agency period was Jordan Mack. The athletic linebacker has an eye-catching skill set coming into the league. And he had the potential to really stand out during preseason games.
Sadly for the player, this will now not be the case. Mack’s situation is similar to what every undrafted free agent is going to experience in the coming weeks. And it remains to be seen just how many of them are going to make a 53-man roster.
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Mack’s inability to participate in the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine due to injury played a leading role in the player not hearing his name called. But he has four seasons of solid college production at West Virginia under his belt, three of which came at linebacker after making a smooth transition from a defensive back following the 2016 season.
This was a shrewd move by the player and the coaching staff in no uncertain terms. Mack ended his college career with 289 combined tackles, 122 solo tackles, 14.5 sacks, six forced fumbles, and 24.5 tackles for loss. But not having the chance to show his capabilities in the preseason at the next level is going to be devastating.
The Panthers’ depth at linebacker appears slim following the shock retirement of Luke Kuechly. Carolina brought in Tahir Whitehead to plug the gap in the short-term. But there is an opening behind that Mack might be able to take advantage of if the rookie can make his presence felt during camp.
Carolina Panthers Player No. 3: Dennis Daley (OL)
It’s fair to say that Dennis Daley wasn’t ready for what the Carolina Panthers put on him during his rookie season. The offensive lineman was thrown to the proverbial wolves in 2019. And he struggled accordingly.
This was something of a necessity given the Panthers’ offensive line woes. But the sixth-round pick was initially seen as a development project that ended up filling a starting role ahead of time.
Daley was flustered against pass-rushers at the next level. He gave up seven sacks and four penalties from 686 snaps on his way to a modest 58.6 grade from Pro Football Focus. And it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the coaching staff take him out of the firing line in 2020.
They also have the option of slotting Daley onto the interior protection. The lineman has the size and strength to make the move. But not having any preseason games to adjust to a new position could eventually put pay to his chances of earning a starting role from day one.
The Panthers brought in John Miller and Michael Schofield after they took the decision to trade away perennial Pro Bowler Trai Turner to the Los Angeles Chargers in exchange for Russell Okung. The pair have far more experience at the guard spot than Daley. So they immediately become favorites for starting roles with no preseason before competitive action gets underway.
Truth be told, this might be a good thing for Daley. It would give him a chance to develop at his own pace. And this would do his long-term aspirations no harm at all.
Carolina Panthers Player No. 4: Stantley Thomas-Oliver III (CB)
The Carolina Panthers concluded their all-defense draft by selecting cornerback Stantley Thomas-Oliver with their seventh-round selection. He is relatively new to the cornerback position. But he has made a tremendous move from wide receiver over a two-year spell at Florida International.
This is an area of real concern for the Panthers going into the season. While Thomas-Oliver wasn’t expected to make any sort of impression from a starting perspective in 2020. Getting valuable experience in a professional environment would have done his development a significant amount of good during the preseason.
Thomas-Oliver is sure to get a baptism of fire regardless of his expected lack of game time. He will be coming up against Carolina’s formidable wide receiver weapons on a daily basis during camp. And this will also be invaluable for his progression.
The player recorded seven interceptions during his two years at cornerback in college. There is no telling just what sort of contribution Thomas-Oliver can make once he gets more knowledge on how to play the position. So he will be affected more than most by a lack of preseason games.
It will be interesting to see whether Thomas-Oliver will get a spot on the roster ahead of Cole Luke and Corn Elder. But the Panthers should take a chance on a player that could end up being a steal down the line.