Grading every Panthers positional group after Week 1 of free agency

Carolina Panthers safeties

Rookie sensation Jeremy Chinn took the league by storm last season and showed everyone how wrong they were to let him slide to the No. 64 overall selection. Veteran Juston Burris also impressed in the early going before the injury bug found him and Sam Franklin was forced to step in.

Chinn showed his superstar ceiling all of last season but especially against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 12 where he had fumble recoveries for touchdowns on back-to-back plays.

There has been a lot of talk about where Chinn should be put on the field. He is currently listed as a linebacker on the roster, however, his skill set leans more toward a big-bodied safety that can move up and stop the run than a true linebacker.

The addition of Denzel Perryman gives the chance for a change of position to take place and with the release of former starter Tre Boston, the need for Chinn to be able to move back was made even more necessary and showed the confidence the team has in that ability.

With Chinn able to move back into the starting safety role, the Carolina Panthers should be solid back there for years to come and only need a complimentary piece to put alongside the up-and-coming star. A place Franklin and especially Burris filled in well last season.

Grade: A

If Chinn continues to improve and those complementary pieces don’t become a liability, this position won’t need to be addressed for a good while.