How Jeremy Chinn can use DROY snub to his advantage
By Dean Jones
Jeremy Chinn was snubbed for the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year despite an outstanding first year with the Carolina Panthers.
Jeremy Chinn’s quest for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year just wasn’t to be. The former Southern Illinois standout enjoyed a phenomenal first season with the Carolina Panthers that saw him emerge as a leading contender for the award. But his production was relatively overlooked by voters in favor of Washington’s stud edge rusher Chase Young.
For Chinn to get only 4.5 votes was disrespectful, to put it mildly.
But this can be something the player can use to his advantage.
Chinn doesn’t appear to be a character who requires additional motivation when he steps onto the gridiron. He adjusted extremely well to a new position after winning the outside linebacker spot opposite Shaq Thomspon at training camp, providing the sort of enthusiasm and energy that the Panthers needed after Luke Kuechly decided to hang up his cleats.
Energy is all well and good. But Chinn also developed a real nous for making big plays when it mattered most.
Jeremy Chinn had a superb rookie season.
His two defensive touchdowns on consecutive plays at the Minnesota Vikings was an NFL first and there was nothing that Chinn turned his hand to that he didn’t thrive doing.
The player improved in coverage as the season went on, provided exceptional run support, and even made his presence felt on blitz packages when his name was called. Carolina struck gold when they traded back into the second round to select Chinn at No. 64 and he is as close to a complete defender as you’re likely to find at such a young age.
Young was the bigger name, and he had a good year working with former Panthers head coach Ron Rivera.
However, one could argue that production compared to expectation was even greater from Chinn’s perspective.
Numbers aren’t everything.
But in Chinn’s case, they are sensational.
He ended his rookie season with 117 tackles, five quarterback hits, two tackles for loss, one sack, two touchdowns, two forced fumbles, five passes defended, and one interception. Chinn got pressure on the opposing signal-caller seven times and managed to attain a respectable 59.0 grade from Pro Football Focus as a result of his efforts.
Not getting this individual accolade might be disappointing for Chinn. So it’s vital that he harnesses this in the right way in pursuit of getting better wherever the Panthers plan to use him in 2021.
Phil Snow is toying with the idea of reverting Chinn back to his preferred position of safety, which would leave them short at the second level unless reinforcements are brought in. Whether this decision comes to pass is irrelevant in one sense, because this is an athletic individual who can make plays all over the field.
The Panthers are fortunate to have Chinn. He is a key component of their success moving forward and if he can make some more refinements to his game before competitive action begins in 2021, then he’ll be a Pro Bowl candidate in no uncertain terms.
Chinn’s prowess on the field is matched by a high character and will to win off it. These traits will serve him well in the years to come and only adds to the increased level of expectancy surrounding his potential after setting Carolina alight in 2020.