5 Carolina Panthers players who could be full-time starters by 2022
By Dean Jones
Keith Taylor Jr. – Carolina Panthers CB
The Carolina Panthers have a strong cornerback unit that should improve from a production standpoint this season. Donte Jackson is poised for a big year heading into the final season of his deal, with the additions of No. 8 overall selection Jaycee Horn and former Pro Bowler A.J. Bouye something else that should help enormously.
There is also a quiet sense of intrigue surrounding Keith Taylor Jr., the fifth-round pick out of Washington who has enough in his locker to suggest a promising career at the next level.
Taylor is a work in progress, which is to be expected of a Day 3 selection.
However, his ability in press coverage could be of immediate assistance in certain situations.
If Taylor impresses over the remaining two preseason games, then it might see him thrust into the lineup much earlier than expected. Bouye is suspended for the first two contests after violating the league’s substance abuse policy on the Denver Broncos, meaning someone else needs to stand up and be counted until he’s permitted to participate.
Considering the questions surrounding Troy Pride Jr. and Stantley Thomas-Oliver III, that might be Taylor. Although another potential name worthy of consideration is Rashaan Melvin.
It will be interesting to see how Taylor progresses throughout the season. If things go well, expect him to start in 2022.