4 Panthers players who need to step up vs. the Falcons in Week 8

Tre Boston – Carolina Panthers S

Tre Boston is another veteran player who has been relatively inconsistent this season. The Carolina Panthers decided to give the safety a new three-year deal after a standout 2019 campaign, which was a real confidence boost given the organization’s desire to part ways with most of their established locker room leaders.

Boston has regrouped somewhat after a poor start, but his level of play at the Saints left a lot to be desired. He already has eight missed tackles through seven weeks – which is 17 percent of his total tackles – and this is simply not good enough for someone that made Pro Football Focus’ All-Clutch 2019 Team last time out.

There is even more responsibility on Boston’s shoulders with Juston Burris out through injury. The free-agent signing is on the sidelines with a rib injury that threw undrafted rookie Sam Franklin into a surprise starting position in New Orleans, where he performed well above expectations.

Not only will Boston need to be wary of the supreme threat posed by the Falcons’ passing attack, but he must also ensure that Franklin is in the right sort of positions pre-snap to avoid getting exposed on the backend.

This might be asking a lot. However, the Panthers didn’t give Boston a three-year, $18 million deal earlier this year for him to be a bit-part player.