7 Carolina Panthers players entering the last chance saloon in 2021
By Dean Jones
Rashaan Melvin – Carolina Panthers CB
After opting out of the 2020 season with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Rashaan Melvin is starting from scratch to a certain extent with the Carolina Panthers at training camp this summer.
And that might actually be a good thing.
Melvin has bounced around the league plenty since going undrafted in 2013. However, he’s seen meaningful reps at various teams from 2016-19, with the most recent being the Detroit Lions at both cornerback and safety.
That’s what’s obviously attracted Melvin to the Panthers. Matt Rhule and his staff love players that can slot in at multiple positions and the former Northern Illinois standout has the length and athleticism needed to fit in well.
Carolina brought in some significant reinforcements at cornerback this offseason. Jaycee Horn, Pro Bowler A.J. Bouye, and Keith Taylor Jr. all arrived during free agency and the draft, which should strengthen a positional group that became a real source of frustration in crucial moments last time out.
Just what sort of role Melvin can carve out for himself will be dependent on his production in the coming weeks. He isn’t unfamiliar with this sort of situation, but whether he can put this experience to good use is another matter entirely.