4 free-agent safeties to replace J.T. Ibe at Panthers training camp
By Dean Jones
Doug Middleton
Another potential option still sitting on the free-agent market is Doug Middleton. The safety has been a solid if not spectacular performer throughout his career and is coming off a 2020 campaign with the Jacksonville Jaguars that saw the player earn a creditable 62.9 grade from Pro Football Focus.
Middleton has proven his worth as a dependable rotational piece. Although expecting him to come into the Carolina Panthers and push for a starting spot appears unrealistic.
The Appalachian State product began his career on the New York Jets and also spent a brief period with the Miami Dolphins before landing in Jacksonville. Middleton has 44 tackles and four passes defended over his five-year career, with the player’s ability as a special teamer something else that shouldn’t be ignored.
Much will depend on how happy the Carolina Panthers are with their current options. But it might be worth taking a look at some additional possibilities now they are down a player in J.T. Ibe.
The chances of Ibe making the roster were slim, to begin with. So the Panthers already appear willing to go with what they have and allocated his spot on another area that has some depth concerns heading into the season.