5 underrated offseason moves the Carolina Panthers made in 2022
By Dean Jones
Carolina Panthers signed Cory Littleton
Finding the right formula at the linebacker spot since Luke Kuechly retired has been an ongoing riddle for the Carolina Panthers. The team is now entering its third season with different options at the second level and things could get even more complicated depending on what transpires following Damien Wilson’s concerning arrest.
This could mean Cory Littleton is thrust into a starting role. The free-agent signing is a former Pro Bowler that has gone over 100 tackles twice in his career and came with two of the milestone for the Las Vegas Raiders in 2021.
Littleton does have some issues against the run and hasn’t offered much in the way of pass-rushing prowess over the last two years. However, the former Washington star is a former college teammate of Shaq Thompson’s and thrives from a coverage standpoint, which is where the Panthers struggled at times last season.
Much will depend on Wilson’s status and how quickly fourth-round selection Brandon Smith picks things up. But there should be a big role for Littleton to play regardless.
Hopefully, the player can adjust to new surroundings quickly and become a force. Whether he could potentially replicate anything like Kuechly’s production is a completely different ball game.