4 Panthers players Scott Fitterer shouldn’t give up on in 2021
By Dean Jones
Rasul Douglas – Carolina Panthers CB
The start Rasul Douglas made to his time with the Carolina Panthers was hugely encouraging. He didn’t last long on the waiver wire after failing to make the Philadelphia Eagles’ 53-man roster and a new environment seemed to do him the world of good.
His high level of production over the first half of the campaign was not matched by what we saw over his last few games. Douglas was sluggish in coverage and seemed to be missing that burst which caught the eye so impressively during his initial transition into the lineup.
Carolina is relatively short of options at cornerback. Corn Elder should be brought back after excelling in the slot in 2020, but the rookie duo of Stantley Thomas-Oliver and Troy Pride Jr. clearly need more time to develop before they are ready to see significant playing time.
Donte Jackson looked like a No. 1 corner when he recovered from injury, so Douglas faces a nervous wait to see if the decision-makers give him a new deal or bring in additional reinforcements via free agency or the 2021 NFL Draft.
General manager Scott Fitterer will have his own set of ideas that will be relaid to Matt Rhule before coming to a final conclusion. Douglas deserves a chance to at least get to training camp and fight for his spot given his early-season form.