5 projected Carolina Panthers starters who could be benched in 2021

Juston Burris – Carolina Panthers S

The Carolina Panthers appear to still harbor some confidence in Juston Burris despite his lack of production over the second half of the previous campaign. This had a lot to do with a rib injury that took some getting over, but there will be no more excuses from the player’s standpoint in 2021.

Burris will have one of the team’s most dynamic playmakers alongside him on the backend next season. Jeremy Chinn took the NFL by storm during his rookie year and moving the Southern Illinois product back to his preferred position of safety could be just what this secondary needs to get over the hump.

There doesn’t appear to be much in the way of depth behind Chinn and Burris, which is why the Panthers took a look at Ha Ha Clinton-Dix during mandatory minicamp.

However, it wouldn’t be a shock to see them bring in another veteran presence to boost their options before competitive action rolls around.

Nobody will know more than Burris what’s at stake. He is heading into the final year of his deal and any further regression in production where the North Carolina State product is concerned might see him benched as a result.

If this scenario pans out in this fashion, it would surely come with Burris and the Panthers going their separate ways in 2022.