5 under-the-radar Panthers players who must perform vs. NY Jets
By Dean Jones
Pat Elflein – Carolina Panthers OG
Of all the players acquired by the Carolina Panthers this offseason, few have as many questions surrounding them as Pat Elflein. The offensive lineman hasn’t exactly been the most consistent performer over the last two years, something that’s seen him waived by the Minnesota Vikings and not brought back by the New York Jets in the space of a few months.
It was surprising to see the Panthers give Elflein a two-year deal. He’s projected as the Day 1 starter at left guard and needs a good showing against his former team to alleviate some concerns regarding his potential in Carolina.
Much like the situation regarding Sam Darold, the Jets will know exactly how to capitalize on Elflein’s flaws, and stud defensive tackle Quinnen Williams is probably eagerly awaiting this matchup. How the former Ohio State standout handles this significant pressure will tell us plenty about what to expect from the player in 2021.
If Elflein fails to hit the ground running, Carolina won’t hesitate to make a change. Whether that’s with someone like Dennis Daley or a promising rookie such as Brady Christensen or Deonte Brown.
The stakes are high for Elflein and his NFL future this season. A solid outing against the Jets is the minimum requirement right out of the gate.