5 Panthers players running out of time to earn new deals

Corn Elder – Carolina Panthers CB

There have been far worse players on the Carolina Panthers than Corn Elder this season. The cornerback has done extremely well covering from the slot after working his way up the depth chart at training camp and this experience in a starting environment will do him the world of good moving forward.

Whether that will be in Carolina remains to be seen.

Elder might possess a better chance than most at earning a new deal. But the Panthers have the option of bringing in additional reinforcements either during free agency or the 2021 NFL Draft.

Only Donte Jackson and the two rookies – Troy Pride Jr. and Stantley Thomas-Oliver – are guaranteed to be on the roster by the time camp rolls around. And just what sort of strides the pair can make with a less disrupted offseason under their belts is up for debate.

Carolina has gotten some good production from Elder and far better than anyone thought.

There have been some bumps along the way, which is to be expected with a player who didn’t have much in the way of notable starting experience before competitive action began. But if the former fifth-round pick can end the season on a high note, it might come with a longer-term commitment.