Which Carolina Panthers players could we end up feeling more confident about during the 2021 season?
Training camp for the Carolina Panthers is officially underway as preparations ramp up for the 2021 season. What transpires over the next few weeks will tell us plenty about what we can expect from Matt Rhule’s men in his second year as head coach, which brings more in the way of expectations after a trial-and-error 2020.
The Panthers have a ton of talent. There is absolutely no disputing that at this juncture.
Putting it all together when it matters is the next step for a young and hungry group. If they can accomplish this feat more consistently, then some notable progression won’t be far behind.
Some players need to improve their production judging by previous efforts. It’s also important for new recruits and high-end draft picks to also make their presence felt right from the outset.
On this subject, here are five Panthers players that fans should feel more confident about next season.
Player No. 1
Joey Slye – Carolina Panthers K
There’s no getting away from the struggles Joey Slye went through at times last season. The kicker missed some crucial attempts with the game on the line in 2020 and this appears to be his final chance to prove he can be a viable long-term option at the position.
Carolina’s red-zone struggles meant Slye was under pressure more than he should have been in 2020. With another offseason to familiarize themselves under offensive coordinator Joe Brady, better options at tight end, and Sam Darnold under center, this will hopefully become a thing of the past.
Slye still needs to produce the goods. But the Panthers should be in a much better position to ensure his mistakes are kept to a minimum.
Shaq Thompson – Carolina Panthers OLB
It’s a big season ahead for Shaq Thompson. The outside linebacker went over 100 tackles for the second straight year in 2020, but his production overall was not what the Carolina Panthers hoped in the immediate aftermath of Luke Kuechly’s retirement.
The former first-round pick is well respected and brings certain likable traits to Carolina’s defense. However, his struggles in coverage were evident last time around and Thompson has never been the sort of player that can generate consistent pressure in opposing backfields.
Thompson restructured his contract to free up some additional funds this offseason. Whether he’s on the roster by the time 2022 training camp rolls around is another matter entirely.
One thing Thompson will have that wasn’t present last season was a stable presence alongside him on the interior. Denzel Perryman’s free-agent arrival from the Los Angeles Chargers promises to bring a tremendous amount of energy and aggressiveness that was sorely lacking without Kuechly.
The Washington product has proven more than capable of making a telling contribution with the right tools around him. Thompson might not be the alpha he wanted heading into 2020, but fans should feel more optimistic about what he can do in the coming months.
Jermaine Carter – Carolina Panthers LB
Another player that heads into the 2021 season with plenty of confidence is Jermaine Carter. It wasn’t the easiest of transitions for the linebacker under head coach Matt Rhule, with the pair getting off to a rocky beginning to their relationship that saw the player become a non-factor over the first half of the campaign.
Carter was finally given more playing time when the Carolina Panthers admitted defeat with Tahir Whitehead. It wasn’t a coincidence that Phil Snow’s defense made improvements once this decision was made.
There is a good opportunity awaiting Carter next season.
He is the favorite to occupy the other outside linebacker position – which is where he prefers to play. If the former fifth-round pick can build on some positive momentum it could see his contract extended when competitive action comes to a conclusion.
What comes next is down to Carter. Playing on the final year of his deal should bring an extra sense of urgency and considering the options around him on the front seven, some improved numbers are not entirely out of the question.
It’ll be interesting to see how Carter evolves both at training camp and during the regular season. His long-term future in Carolina might just depend on it.
Juston Burris – Carolina Panthers S
It’s easy to make Juston Burris the scapegoat heading into the 2021 campaign. He’s almost been relegated to this role thanks to the popularity of others and the signings made by the Carolina Panthers in recent months.
This has a lot to do with the way Burris performed down the stretch. He didn’t look like the same player after returning to the lineup following a rib injury, which leaves the player facing a fight to convince people he’s a worthy starter.
Carolina gave him the benefit of the doubt this offseason when they decided to release Tre Boston instead. Burris is also getting a substantial upgrade alongside him at safety in Jeremy Chinn, who took the NFL by storm during a sensational rookie campaign.
If Burris cannot perform better with such a dynamic partner, then he can kiss his chances of a stay in Carolina goodbye beyond this season. The former Cleveland Brown did perform well over the early games in 2020, so anything similar or better to this could assist the Panthers an untold amount.
There is a lot on the line for Burris. If the Panthers aren’t satisfied by what they see at camp, it might force them to bring in another veteran option if a player of interest becomes available.
Donte Jackson – Carolina Panthers CB
The expectations surrounding Donte Jackson have grown to a level not seen in the player’s career before. This is primarily down to how the cornerback performed over the final few games of 2020 and the additions brought into the secondary by the Carolina Panthers this offseason.
Jackson looked like a potential shutdown corner after returning to full health following the Week 13 bye. It’s clear that the LSU product’s toe problem left him severely restricted for the majority of the campaign and if he can stay free of further complications, then his reliability in coverage should surge as a result.
The former second-round pick is another heading into the final year of his deal. Jackson can earn himself a lucrative extension in 2021 and the Panthers would be wise to strike a deal if his production dictates.
Pairing Jackson with No. 8 overall selection Jaycee Horn and Pro Bowler A.J. Bouye has the potential to completely transform Carolina’s fortunes against the pass. If other rotational pieces also progress, it’s another big shot in the arm for a defense that could be set for great things next season.
Jackson has to make the most of the better players around him. Judging by his efforts late in the previous campaign, it’s something he’s more than capable of.