5 Panthers players who’ve risen steadily at 2021 training camp

Phil Hoskins – Carolina Panthers DT

It could go either way for seventh-round picks. Either they become a real surprise and carve out a role for themselves or fail to adjust in a short space of time and are cut loose without taking a snap.

The Carolina Panthers got some nice production from Stantley Thomas-Oliver III in 2020 after allowing the cornerback to develop at his own pace. Judging by recent impressions, they could have something similar on their hands with Phil Hoskins.

There is absolutely no pressure on the defensive tackle becoming a key rotational piece early on. Carolina has Derrick Brown, DaQuan Jones, Bravvion Roy, and fifth-round selection Daviyon Nixon as their projected top-four on the depth chart, which could be a highly productive group.

Hoskins has been a gradual force over the last few days at training camp according to those in attendance. This carries on from an encouraging joint practice performance at Indianapolis and some reps in their first preseason game for good measure.

The Kentucky product should make the roster. Although Hoskins needs to keep this up right until the final cuts are confirmed.

Don’t expect to see the lineman much over the first half of the campaign. There is still some refinement needed but much like the situation with Chuba Hubbard, it’s an encouraging start and one that hasn’t gone unnoticed.