4 individual matchups to watch during Panthers OTAs in 2021
By Dean Jones
DaQuan Jones vs. Pat Elflein
DaQuan Jones might be been a late arrival to the Carolina Panthers in free agency. But this was an area of significant need and could see the defensive tackle become the starter alongside Derrick Brown on the defensive line interior.
Jones made a solid impression with the Tennessee Titans in 2020 and it was a surprise they didn’t offer him an extension. However, this should benefit the Panthers enormously providing he can enter a different environment with a chip on his shoulder.
It remains to be seen just who is going to be starting at the guard positions in 2021. Carolina brought in plenty of new faces who will all fight it out for spots on the depth chart, with Pat Elflein having more in the way of pressure on his shoulders than most.
The former Ohio State standout has been lackluster at best over the last two years with the Minnesota Vikings and New York Jets. So his arrival early in free agency wasn’t exactly met with a positive reaction from Carolina’s loyal fanbase who were hoping for someone a little more reliable.
Elflein does have the versatility the Panthers clearly love. But how he performs during OTAs and training camp will ultimately define what role he will play in 2021.
Performing well against Jones or possibly even Brown will be a strong start for Elflein. But just how much his confidence has been knocked in recent seasons is another matter entirely.