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

Stantley Thomas-Oliver III – Carolina Panthers CB

With A.J. Bouye suspended for the first two games of 2021, someone else in the cornerback room needs to provide solid assistance from the slot. Donte Jackson and Jaycee Horn should form a productive tandem on the outside, but the New York Jets might look to exploit the nickel position in a bid to get new quarterback Zach Wilson into a rhythm.

Keith Taylor Jr. appears to be a work in progress, which is expected of a fifth-round pick. With few other options available, it could be Stantley Thomas-Oliver III that sees a significant increase in playing time over the first fortnight.

Thomas-Oliver did well overall as a rookie. He was brought on gradually by the Carolina Panthers and held his own more often than not, although all anybody will remember is Justin Jefferson putting him in a spin cycle during their narrow loss at the Minnesota Vikings.

It’s been an encouraging offseason for Thomas-Oliver, who made the transition to cornerback from wide receiver over his final two years at Florida International.

Now he’s got a year of NFL experience under his belt, Thomas-Oliver gets a little less leeway in terms of performance. If he can help against the Jets and when Carolina takes on the New Orleans Saints, it could see his role increase as a result.