5 under-the-radar Panthers players to get excited about in 2022

Marquis Haynes – Carolina Panthers DE/OLB

With Haason Reddick no longer around after a memorable 11-sack campaign in 2021, the Carolina Panthers will now be reliant on others to step up and fill the void after choosing not to bring in another prominent veteran during free agency.

Thankfully, there are one or two who could benefit from increased reps in the starting lineup. Hopes are high for Yetur Gross-Matos in Year 3 of his professional career and re-signing Marquis Haynes was another tremendous bit of business by the front office given how much he’s contributed of late.

Haynes made the most out of every down that came his way in 2021. Despite playing in just 21 percent of the team’s defensive snaps last season, the Ole Miss product managed to record 20 tackles, three sacks, three tackles for loss, five quarterback hits, eight pressures, and an extremely creditable 71.9 grade from Pro Football Focus.

There were many who thought Haynes might leave for the promise of more playing time elsewhere. This is now something the Panthers can provide and it’ll be interesting to see how the former fourth-round pick gets on with extra responsibility.

Best case scenario? Haynes thrives and takes his game to completely new heights – something he is more than capable of.