5 things to keep a close eye on at Panthers training camp in 2021

Just how good is the defensive line?

There appears to be some real hope building that the defensive front can firmly establish themselves as the top positional group at Carolina Panthers training camp. This is an area that already had some young dynamic players before the offseason, with the new recruits acquired in free agency and the 2021 NFL Draft only strengthening their options further.

It’s all well and good having this firepower on paper. But if they can’t become a cohesive unit quickly at Panthers training camp, it could have grave consequences.

The pass-rushing tandem of Brian Burns and Haason Reddick has big expectations heading into the campaign. Both have the potential to attain double-digit sacks and if Yetur Gross-Matos also makes a contribution, the sky is the limit.

Derrick Brown looks a star in the making on the interior and has a stout run-stuffer alongside him in DaQuan Jones. Rookie Daviyon Nixon has the chance to earn meaningful reps right out of the gate and Bravvion Roy displayed enough in 2020 to suggest more is on the way.

Watching this group against a suspect offensive line is going to be fascinating at training camp. But realistically speaking, we’ll probably get a better indication of what they’re capable of during scrimmages with the Indianapolis Colts and Baltimore Ravens before the regular season begins.