4 Panthers role players who need to show out vs. the Saints
By Dean Jones
Myles Hartsfield – Carolina Panthers DB
Myles Hartsfield has seen his reps steadily increase in recent weeks and the Carolina Panthers should continue this trend against the Saints. The undrafted free-agent has really started to impose himself on the roster after emerging as one of the stars of training camp, so another big performance to finish the campaign would stand him in enormously good stead moving forward.
Hartsfield was in the lineup for 58 percent of the defensive snaps last weekend, which was his highest of the season by a considerable margin. The former Ole Miss standout hasn’t looked overawed in the slightest by an increased role, with his versatility and high football IQ coming across extremely well in the process.
There appears little point in the Panthers going in a different direction with so little at stake on Sunday. Giving players like Hartsfield more experience is only going to assist their overall development and Carolina already knows what veterans in the secondary are all about at this juncture.
Hartsfield has 12 tackles, two fumble recoveries, one pass defended, and a 63.7 percent completion allowed to show from his rookie campaign so far. There is definitely something to work with regarding the player and if he catches the eye once again against the Saints, it will put him in a positive position providing he brings his game on during the offseason.