6 potential cut candidates the Panthers could target post-camp
By Dean Jones
Jayron Kearse – S
- Current team – Dallas Cowboys
The Carolina Panthers could use some reinforcements at the safety position in 2021. There are some hopes that Sam Franklin and Myles Hartsfield can make the necessary improvements, but a little more experience behind the starting duo of Jeremy Chinn and Juston Burris could be a smart move to make.
There remain some intriguing options in the free-agent market if the Panthers opt to go down this route. Another possible option is to pick up someone who doesn’t make a roster elsewhere.
Jayron Kearse is looking to carve out a role for himself with the Dallas Cowboys at training camp. The veteran played his first four seasons with the Minnesota Vikings before starting seven games in 2020 for the Detroit Lions, which didn’t bring about an extended stay.
An opportunity could be awaiting Kearse in Dallas, providing rookie Israel Mukuamu doesn’t make an extremely smooth transition to a new position after playing cornerback in college.
Kearse is a big body at 6-foot-4, which is the sort of physicality Carolina could be of use. This would be one of the more surprising cuts the Cowboys could make, but if the former Clemson star cannot beat out Mukuamu and Darian Thompson for backup playing time, he’ll be shown the door.
Whether the Panthers are content to go with what they have for the time being remains to be seen. But bringing in Ha Ha Clinton-Dix for a mandatory minicamp tryout is a strong indicator they are after another option sooner rather than later.