4 young Carolina Panthers players who excelled vs. Lions
By Dean Jones
Jeremy Chinn – Carolina Panthers OLB
Jeremy Chinn enhanced his claims for Defensive Rookie of the Year with another performance of genuine quality against the Lions. The outside linebacker has been nothing short of exceptional for the Carolina Panthers in 2020 and it’s hard to gauge just how much better he can get at this juncture.
Considering this is Chinn’s first season playing the position after making the transition during training camp is extraordinary. His supreme physical traits have been there for all to see during the campaign and the former Southern Illinois sensation leaves his mark on opposing runners with a physicality to his tackling that’s made the player an instant hit with Carolina’s fanbase.
The Panthers got some much-improved production from their linebacker corps collectively. This had everything to do with their decision to bench Tahir Whitehead in favor of Jermaine Carter, who made the most out of his chance and looked the part alongside Chinn and improving veteran Shaq Thompson.
Chinn has covered up failings at the second level this season. But with the group now hitting their stride this should bring around even greater production from a player the Panthers gambled on to make a difference when they traded back into the second round to secure his service.