5 Carolina Panthers players who could surprise vs. NY Jets in Week 1

Which Carolina Panthers players could surprise when they take the field at Bank of America Stadium for their Week 1 game against the New York Jets?

The Carolina Panthers are about to embark on a very important 2021 season that will shape the direction of the organization. Team owner David Tepper has progressed his ambitious off-field plans to turn the franchise into an industry leader despite ongoing COVID-19 concerns, so the billionaire won’t want to see his players and coaching staff fluffing their lines in pursuit of genuine progress.

They’ve got a good chance to get their campaign off on the front foot at home to the New York Jets, a team in the midst of a significant rebuild under new head coach Robert Saleh.

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If Carolina doesn’t get a result against what’s considered to be one of the poorer teams in the league, it leaves them facing an uphill battle. The margin for error is far smaller in the second year of Matt Rhule’s reign, so it needs to be a collective effort from everyone on the roster to achieve the same goal.

Looking ahead to tomorrow’s game, here are five Panthers players who could surprise the Jets in Week 1.

Player No. 1

Cam Erving – Carolina Panthers OT

Not having to go up against Carl Lawson is a huge boost for Cam Erving as he looks to start proving his doubters wrong. Whether the left tackle is capable of this or not is another matter entirely.

Erving is the latest name to try and solidify the blindside – a position that’s been sorely lacking a consistent presence ever since Jordan Gross hung up his cleats seven years ago.

The jury is well and truly out as to whether Erving can make a substantial turnaround in production. But considering the Jets don’t have Lawson after his season-ending injury, he might not be as bad as many people think.