5 Panthers players who need to impose themselves at OTAs

Christian Miller – Carolina Panthers LB

Christian Miller is one of the more intriguing names to watch for the Carolina Panthers this offseason. The talented linebacker opted out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19 health concerns and although no player should be criticized for this, it does not detract from what an important few weeks await him at OTAs and beyond.

Miller has a lot of likable traits that could be of use to the Panthers. The former Alabama stud showed glimpses of what he was capable of during the 2019 season, gaining two sacks from just seven appearances as a rookie.

Much more will be expected this time around where Miller is concerned. It won’t take long to see how much he’s been working on his game away from the team during a prolonged absence and if there is any sort of regression, it’s going to hurt his chances tremendously.

There does appear to be an opportunity for Miller to become a solid piece of the rotation. The linebacker corps was strengthened by the addition of Denzel Perryman from the Los Angeles Chargers in free agency. But with Jeremy Chinn moving back to his preferred position of safety, someone else on the depth chart needs to step up when required.

Miller is a top candidate for this, of that there is little doubt. However, what comes over the weeks and months ahead will define his role in 2021.