5 Carolina Panthers players who didn’t meet expectations in 2021

Cam Erving – Carolina Panthers OT

It’s been years since the Carolina Panthers have had a good left tackle and even as they knew it was one of their biggest issues last offseason, they decided to go with Cam Erving, who had never proven to be a starting-caliber player.

Erving began the season as the team’s starting blindside protector and frankly, was a disaster. The Florida State product looked awful during the first nine games of the season before injuring his calf. He returned for Week 14 and 15 before ultimately being placed on the season-ending injured/reserve.

Overall, Erving finished the year with a 56.0 grade from Pro Football Focus. That ranks 75th of 84 eligible tackles. Something that wasn’t entirely unexpected considering how the player has performed since entering the NFL as a first-round pick.

Once again, the Panthers will go searching for a new left tackle this offseason. Erving will be relegated to the bench with one year remaining on his deal and might even be released entirely providing Carolina is willing to absorb a $4 million dead-cap figure after inexplicably signing the lineman to a two-year deal without hours of free agency beginning.

Honestly, the entire offensive line didn’t meet expectations. But Erving was by far the worst and that is saying alot.