5 Panthers players who must hit the ground running at 2022 OTAs

Kenny Robinson – Carolina Panthers S

Considering how things looked for Kenny Robinson once upon a time, for him to find himself with this sort of opportunity in 2022 is a remarkable achievement all things considered. The safety looked like a lost cause when he was released and brought back onto the practice squad, so the player deserves an enormous amount of credit for putting in the work and fighting his way back into recognition.

Robinson is a prime example of what can be accomplished by seizing the moment. Once the player was installed onto the roster, he quickly became a dependable presence on the rotation and also made a substantial impression on special teams, which is something the Carolina Panthers value highly in their depth chart pieces.

This is a big season for Robinson, who will count $895,000 against the salary cap on the final year of his deal and needs to evolve even further to earn himself a contract extension.

There is nothing to suggest the former XFL standout isn’t capable of further growth. But the signing of Xavier Woods from the Minnesota Vikings in free agency probably means a starting position is out of the question unless injury strikes.

That should not detract from what a core backup Robinson has the potential to be. If this is a role he fills efficiently and the player also continues to make a difference under special teams coordinator Chris Tabor, then the Panthers would be wise to keep him around beyond the 2022 campaign.