5 things that might go wrong for the Carolina Panthers in 2021
By Jason Huber
The Carolina Panthers secondary might reach expectations
The secondary wasn’t very good for the Carolina Panthers last season, but it actually exceeded expectations thanks to the addition of Rasul Douglas, surprising play from Corn Elder, improvement by Donte Jackson, and veteran leadership from Tre Boston.
However, Douglas, Elder, and Boston are all gone and will be replaced by first-round rookie Jaycee Horn, veteran AJ Bouye, and Jeremy Chinn moving to play more safety after a sensational year as an outside linebacker.
Jackson still has to prove that he can be a lockdown corner that the Panthers were hoping for when they drafted him in the second round in 2018. The LSU product also needs to show he can move on from the injuries he continues to suffer.
Horn seems like the real deal but it’s always a question mark on how rookie corners will perform. Bouye is way past his prime and Chinn might be needed as a linebacker at times, making him more of a hybrid than a true safety.
Besides Chinn, Juston Burris is the only other reliable safety on the roster, with second-year player Kenny Robinson being up next on the depth chart.
Horn might surprise and form a dynamic cornerback duo alongside Jackson. If it doesn’t work out, there’s not much in the way of alternatives.
Besides Bouye, who still has two games remaining on a suspension dating back to last season for violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy, journeyman Rashaan Melvin and rookie Keith Taylor Jr. are up next on the cornerback depth chart – with Troy Pride Jr. and Stantley Thomas-Oliver III also hoping for more reps.
Defensive coordinator Phil Snow improved the unit with every passing week in his first season, but the secondary tended to give up many big plays in crucial moments.
Until proven otherwise, the secondary will remain a concern.