4 Panthers players who need to hit the ground running in 2020
By Dean Jones
Matt Paradis – C
To say that Matt Paradis failed to reach expectations last season would be something of an understatement. The offensive lineman struggled throughout a disappointing campaign overall for the Carolina Panthers and his future with the franchise going forward is dependent on him bouncing back next time around.
Paradis was on a hiding to nothing last season. The Panthers did not have anything in the way of adequate protection around him outside of right tackle Taylor Moton and this is always going to have an adverse effect on a center’s production.
The Panthers traded away perennial Pro Bowl guard Trai Turner in exchange for veteran left tackle Russell Okung. This has the potential to give Carolina two bookends on the edge. But it leaves more questions than answers surrounding their interior protection.
John Miller could be a nice short-term option after arriving in free agency. Michael Schofield and Dennis Daley are still fighting it out for the other guard spot. But the onus will be on Paradis to lead this new-look group through a period of transition.
The former Boise State Bronco gave up three sacks and three penalties from 1,094 snaps in 2019 on his way to a 63.4 grade from Pro Football Focus. Releasing Paradis will save the Panthers around $4.89 million in 2021. So the player has it all to do in order to see out the final year of his deal.