5 Carolina Panthers players entering 2021 on a short leash
By Dean Jones
Cam Erving – Carolina Panthers OT
Although the Carolina Panthers have experimented with Taylor Moton at left tackle during the early stages of training camp, Cam Erving is getting the majority of reps and looks set to be the Day 1 starter at the position in 2021.
This doesn’t exactly give anybody the greatest sense of confidence. And with good reason.
Erving hasn’t lived up to the required standard protecting the edge, to put it mildly. The former first-round pick seems better suited to the interior and has been exposed on the blindside more often than not throughout his career.
He might have a Super Bowl ring courtesy of his time with the Kansas City Chiefs. But that hasn’t alleviated some serious doubts about his capability as a left tackle in Carolina.
The Panthers don’t have many quality alternatives at the present time, which only makes matters worse. General manager Scott Fitterer stated it was still a fluid situation and the team is always looking to strengthen if the right opportunity comes along, which might see additional reinforcements come in once final cuts are made across the league.
How Erving performs during the preseason will be crucial. If he wins the job, it has to come with consistency within an offense that could thrive if Sam Darnold is provided enough time to make the right choices.