6 defensive players on the roster bubble ahead of Panthers 2021 camp
By Dean Jones
Which defensive players on the Carolina Panthers are right on the roster bubble ahead of an important 2021 training camp?
The battle for depth chart position is about to get very interesting where the Carolina Panthers are concerned. Training camp is the biggest opportunity those involved with the organization have of making a lasting impression to boost their chances, with the return of preseason games something else that could work in their favor before final roster cuts are made.
What transpires in the coming weeks will shape Carolina’s season. They have plenty of athletic individuals capable of making a difference, so if problem positional groups perform better than expected, the Panthers could become one of the NFL’s surprise packages with a strong start.
These hopes are enhanced by what’s expected on the defensive side of the ball.
Phil Snow might have been restricted in terms of his scheme with limited options in Year 1 calling plays at the next level. But that is simply not the case anymore after an exceptional period of recruitment during free agency and the 2021 NFL Draft.
With this in mind, here are six Panthers players on defense who are heading into training camp right on the 53-man roster bubble.
Player No. 1
Kenny Robinson – Carolina Panthers S
Nobody knows more about what’s at stake for Kenny Robinson this offseason than the player himself. The safety endured a rollercoaster rookie campaign that saw him released and eventually brought back onto the practice squad, featuring in nine games overall mainly on special teams.
There doesn’t appear much quality depth at safety behind projected starters Jeremy Chinn and Juston Burris. So if Robinson makes the necessary strides at camp and in preseason games, then it might see him make the roster.
However, it’s a fine line where the player is concerned.
Should Robinson struggle on the field and during scrimmages, then it might see the Panthers either try and stash him on the practice squad or cut their losses entirely with the 2020 fifth-round pick.