Who are the ten players that could be released by the Carolina Panthers to trim their roster down to 80 before the deadline next month?
The Carolina Panthers might be heading into training camp with a reduced roster. This will leave some on the outside looking in as the NFL looks to make things as safe as possible during the first face-to-face team activities of the offseason so far.
According to ESPN’s NLF Insider Chris Mortensen, teams will be instructed to scale back their rosters to 80 by August 16. This is going to have a detrimental impact on current members of the Panthers who were looking to make an impression during camp. And this situation is something that is going to leave a wealth of new free agents ahead of time.
To say that Rhule has had a turbulent start to coaching at the next level would be an understatement. He has only met 20 of the 90-man roster. And he has had only virtual OTAs to get his message and demands across in recent months.
The league is adamant they will be starting the 2020 season on time. They have made significant sacrifices to ensure this will happen. And this business as usual attitude could have huge ramifications going forward.
Whether it is realistic for the NFL to start or even bring their season to a successful conclusion is up for debate. The lack of revenue from gate receipts is already going to reduce the salary cap in 2021 and beyond. So any further upheaval is going to come with considerable repercussions.
Money makes the NFL world go around. And as long as the league gets that TV cash rolling in, this is all that matters. Rhule and his staff have some tough calls to make in the coming weeks. And here are ten players that could be on the chopping block at the deadline.
Carolina Panthers Player No. 1: DeAndrew White (WR)
The Carolina Panthers are absolutely loaded at the wide receiver spot. And this would leave players like DeAndrew White out of luck in their pursuit of a roster spot.
White does have some experience in the NFL. But it is unlikely that this will impact his outcome given the wealth of talent above him on the depth chart.
Carolina Panthers Player No. 2: TreVontae Hights (WR)
The Carolina Panthers might have wanted to see a little bit more of TreVontae Hights during training camp and the preseason. But with no fixtures on the calendar before competitive action gets underway, it might force the organization’s hand regarding his future.
This is all part of the business. And Hights could find out sooner rather than later just how brutal life at the professional level actually is. The wideout is a relatively unknown quantity having seen little of the field during his time at TCU. So he is a gamble that the Panthers cannot afford to take at this stage of their development.
Carolina Panthers Player No. 3: Colin Thompson (TE)
Colin Thompson is someone who has a previous relationship with Matt Rhule during their time at Temple. But he has no real NFL experience and would undoubtedly be a prime candidate for an early release.
There is no room for sentiment in the NFL. Rhule will find that out to his cost in the coming weeks. And although the tight end position is lacking any real depth behind Ian Thomas. Thompson’s future with the franchise appears bleak.
Carolina Panthers Player No. 4: Mike Davis (RB)
The Carolina Panthers have plenty of competition for places for their No. 2 running back spot. But Mike Davis might not get a chance to fight for this place before their roster is trimmed to 80.
Davis has a lot of likable traits. However, his $3 million in base salary is simply too much for someone at his position on the depth chart. And it wouldn’t cost the Panthers anything in the way of dead cap money if he is moved on.
This is too tempting a proposition to ignore. And the decision-makers might opt to give undrafted rookie Rodney Smith a shot instead of the fifth-year-pro out of South Carolina.
Carolina Panthers Player No. 5: Tyler Marz (OL)
Tyler Marz was brought into the Carolina Panthers on a one-year deal this offseason. But there is no chance of the player starting in 2020 and he is a player that could be in line for a quick exit from the organization.
The offensive lineman has found life difficult in the NFL in terms of securing any notable time on the field. And even though this is an area of significant concern for the Panthers going into the season. It is highly unlikely that Marz can make any sort of contribution.
Carolina Panthers Player No. 6: Myles Adams (DT)
One area of the roster that appears strong for the Carolina Panthers is their defensive front. Myles Adams was hoping to make a statement after going undrafted. But with no preseason games to impress, he is another that finds himself looking down the barrel of the early cuts.
This would be a real shame for Adams and the organization. There is a chance that the player can be a part of an increased practice squad. But any hope the defensive tackle had of making the sort of impact he wanted has all-but evaporated.
Carolina Panthers Player No. 7: Derrek Thomas (CB)
Cornerback Derrek Thomas has bounced around various teams with little good fortune during his career. And he could be out of luck once again with the Carolina Panthers.
The position is one of the more unstable for the organization heading into 2020. But even with all this uncertainty. Thomas finds himself way down the depth chart and might even be the team’s No. 6 or No. 7 option at the present time.
This makes him a prime candidate for release. And it could put his aspirations of becoming a prolonged professional into serious doubt.
Natrell Jamerson might be under contract until 2022 with the Carolina Panthers. But that means very little when one considers just how much it will cost for the organization to move on.
The cornerback is another that has found life incredibly difficult in the NFL. Getting a chance in camp is one thing. But making a statement to secure a place on a 53-man roster is another matter entirely.
Parting ways with Jamerson wouldn’t cost the Panthers a dime in dead cap money. With the player’s chances of making the roster almost nil. It might be better for both parties if they move on at the earliest possible opportunity.
The Carolina Panthers made some significant reinforcements to their safety position this offseason. They drafted Jeremy Chinn and Kenny Robinson, with Juston Burris also arriving on a two-year, $8 million deal from the Cleveland Browns.
Quin Blanding was given a one-year contract and a chance to make the roster. But with so many players cemented to the roster. It makes things very difficult for him in the coming weeks.
This puts Blanding as one that would be high on the list of possibilities of becoming an early trim sacrifice. And his departure wouldn’t have any real impact on Carolina’s chances going forward.
No fewer than 17 undrafted free agents were brought in by the Carolina Panthers once the final name in the draft had been called. Offensive lineman Aaron Monteiro was one of these. And he could be one player that finds himself on the scrapheap earlier than expected.
All undrafted players want is a chance. But the current climate has dictated some will be out of luck. Matt Rhule might decide to go with experience over youth in this area during the first year of his rebuild. And this might see Monteiro on the chopping block.