5 burning questions facing the Carolina Panthers secondary in 2021
By Dean Jones
What are some burning questions facing the Carolina Panthers secondary as they look to become a real force during the 2021 season?
It could be an exciting 2021 season where the Carolina Panthers are concerned. Outside of one or two problem positions that could jeopardize their chance of making a splash, things look quite promising after yet another offseason period of tremendous upheaval to their roster following the appointment of general manager Scott Fitterer.
Improving things on defense was a top priority. This was done with some shrewd moves both in free agency and throughout an eventful draft for the Panthers, which leaves them with an athletic, hungry unit splashed with just the right amount of experience that was sorely lacking last time around.
Getting off the field consistently on third down is a complication that needs rectifying at the earliest possible opportunity. Fortunately for the Panthers, they now have the weapons that could mean big improvements are coming.
With this in mind, here are five burning questions facing Carolina’s promising secondary in 2021.
Burning Question No. 1
Do the Carolina Panthers have enough secondary depth?
Although there is a lot to like about Carolina’s starting options, they don’t have much in the way of experience from a rotational standpoint in their secondary. Stantley Thomas-Oliver III and Keith Taylor Jr. are expected to back up the starting cornerback trio, which could cause some problems if veteran A.J. Bouye doesn’t hit the ground running when he returns from a two-game suspension.
It’s a similar situation at the safety spot. Sam Franklin and Myles Hartsfield demonstrated capabilities way beyond what anyone predicted after joining the Panthers during undrafted free agency last year, with the preseason production of Sean Chandler something that propelled him into an initial 53-man roster spot.
Carolina does have the option of acquiring more reinforcements as the season goes on. Especially with the league’s most salary-cap space at their disposal.