Grading Panthers position groups on defense after the 2021 draft

Unchanged grades

With all the good movement that was made around the draft this offseason, there were some positions that either got handled early in free agency or weren’t addressed at all. Hence why they find themselves here with their grades unchanged.

Carolina Panthers LBs

This group still looks to be very strong heading into 2021, especially if Jermaine Carter can take another step in his development and Denzel Perryman can manage to stay on the field for a full season.

Grade B+

There is also the fact that Shaq Thompson looked to take a major step forward last season, even while playing alongside a subpar running mate.

Carolina Panthers Ss

The Carolina Panthers could’ve done way more at the safety position this offseason, especially in a draft that had mid-range talent throughout. Including a certain criminally underrated player that went undrafted.

With that being said, the position could be a lot worse if Jeremy Chinn didn’t have the opportunity to move back into the strong safety role after the release of Tre Boston.

Justin Burris, while not a superstar, did play well last season before injuries slowed his production somewhat and there might be more to come with Chinn alongside him.

Grade: A

The staggering improvement of the cornerback room will also take pressure off of the safeties and allow them to play more freely this time around.

Carolina Panthers DEs

The Panthers addressed this need with possibly the biggest signing of their offseason in Hassan Reddick as well as the addition of Morgan Fox. Adding both of them alongside rising stars Brian Burns and Yetur Gross-Matos should prove to be a truly haunting experience for opposing quarterbacks.

Grade: A+

The Panthers look to be a much-improved team heading into the 2021 season, not losing much and gaining a lot in the way of stars and players with high upside. Something which should get every fan excited for what’s to come when this young group of stars takes the NFL by storm.