5 reserve/future Panthers players who can contribute in 2021

Which reserve/future contract players could contribute to the Carolina Panthers in 2021?

We are just a few short days into the official offseason period for the Carolina Panthers. But plans are already being made to progress the organization in 2021. Head coach Matt Rhule has made a strong start to life at the next level despite the team emerging with a 5-11 record and there is now a solid foundation from which to build a potential contender down the line.

Some big decisions need to be made by the Carolina Panthers in the coming months. There could be some substantial player turnover once again with the introduction of a new general manager and it is vital that David Tepper and Rhule get this appointment right to stabilize the future of the franchise.

The Panthers signed 14 players to reserve/future contracts on Monday, which means each player will be part of the squad at the start of the new NFL year in March. What comes next for them is unclear, but at least they will get the chance to prove their worth during OTAs and training camp.

Here are five such players who could make a difference for the Panthers in 2021 and beyond.

Player No. 1

Amara Darboh – Carolina Panthers WR

Amara Darboh hasn’t seen much in the way of playing time after his season with the Seattle Seahawks in 2017. The wide receiver brought in eight of 13 targets during his rookie campaign on his way to 71 receiving yards and two first downs, but he was shown the door by Pete Carroll soon after and hasn’t managed to force his way onto an active roster since.

Darboh spent time with the Buccaneers and Steelers during the 2019 season before joining the Panthers’ practice squad in Week 14. He clearly made a good enough impression on the coaching staff to be given a bigger chance to prove himself and Carolina could have some depth concerns at the position if Brandon Zylstra, Pharoh Cooper, and Curtis Samuel depart in free agency.