4 Carolina Panthers on the hot seat after 2021 NFL Draft picks
By Dean Jones
Which Carolina Panthers now find themselves on the hot seat following the team’s 2021 NFL Draft selections?
There will be some nervous members of the Carolina Panthers following their 2021 NFL Draft selections. This is always a time of year when veteran players find themselves facing the prospect of losing their starting spot or place on the 53-man roster to an incoming college recruit and considering the organization brought in 11 selections, there could be some big changes on the horizon.
This was to be expected following the introduction of new general manager Scott Fitterer into the fold. The former front office figure on the Seattle Seahawks has spent the last few months evaluating talent and potential recruits in free agency and the draft, with his maneuvering during the three-day event putting the Panthers in a position to see a good return on their recent investments.
It is sure to be a hotly contested training camp this year with plenty of places up for grabs. Carolina has some quality young players at their disposal in the second year of Matt Rhule’s reign and if quarterback Sam Darnold can enjoy a new lease of life in a new environment, it might even see the team make a surprising challenge for the postseason.
With that being said, here are four Panthers who potentially find themselves on the hot seat following their NFL Draft picks.
Panther No. 1
J.J. Jansen – Carolina Panthers LS
Not having J.J. Jansen on the roster would seem strange, of that there is little doubt. But father time waits for no man and the Panthers got themselves a viable long-term replacement at the long-snapper position when they selected Alabama‘s Trevor Fletcher in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Competition is key where Rhule is concerned. Jansen and Fletcher will fight it out for the starting job next season and if the rookie demonstrated a significant amount of promise during training camp, then it could see the Pro Bowler heading out of the door.
Jansen is Carolina’s longest-serving player having been with the organization for 12 seasons, not missing a single game during that span. There is no guaranteed money on his deal if the Panthers go in a different direction, which is a definite possibility.