4 second-year Panthers players facing a make-or-break 2021

Troy Pride Jr. – Carolina Panthers CB

The jury is still out as to whether Troy Pride Jr. can become a reliable NFL cornerback. His production as a rookie was littered with inconsistencies and unless things turn around – and quickly – his stay with the Carolina Panthers might be cut short at some stage in the future.

There was a lot to like about Pride’s potential coming out of Notre Dame. He might have been a little raw in coverage, but his speed is up there with anything in the NFL at the position.

Harnessing this in a positive fashion is of critical importance for Pride and the Panthers moving forward. Carolina has an abundance of other options to call upon now, so the fourth-round pick in 2020 has plenty of work to do to force his way into the team’s plans.

Rookie cornerbacks go through more complications than most. That is just the nature of the beast and is especially evident in the NFL South thanks to the dynamic playmakers residing within the division.

Pride may get a pass of sorts for what transpired in 2020.

But that will not be the case this time around.

It’s absolutely essential that Pride takes everything the coaching staff tells him on board, becomes more disciplined, and uses last season’s bad experience in the right way with a view to turning around his fortunes.

If he doesn’t, there are now others who can after a busy period of offseason recruitment.