5 Panthers players who could be one-and-done after 2021 season
By Dean Jones
Sean Chandler – Carolina Panthers S
- 2022 free agent
Considering nothing much was expected of Sean Chandler before training camp, his production has been a nice surprise. The safety’s decision to link up once again with Matt Rhule proved to be the making of him, surging up the depth chart quickly and gaining meaningful reps as part of the defensive rotation throughout the campaign.
Chandler is probably never going to be an elite starter. He has some struggles in coverage and the player’s recovery speed isn’t great by any stretch, so the Carolina Panthers might decide to let another of Rhule’s old college players go after just one season.
Carolina doesn’t have the greatest depth at the safety position. Jeremy Chinn is the one constant, but the likes of Juston Burris, Sam Franklin, and Myles Hartsfield all face uncertain futures this offseason as well as Chandler.
It would be a shock to see the Panthers avoid the temptation of selecting a prospect or two from the 2022 NFL Draft to strengthen this area of the field. This becomes even more of a necessity if those in power opt to switch Chinn back to an outside linebacker next season.
Chandler has been serviceable. But if the Panthers want to take that next step, then better alternatives need to be targeted.