Do the Carolina Panthers have enough at the defensive end position heading into a monumental 2022 season for the organization?
Considering how much player turnover the Carolina Panthers went through this offseason, it was a surprise to now see little change at the defensive end position. This is a significant gamble by the organization after they decided to let Haason Reddick leave in free agency after a fantastic season with the franchise that resulted in 11 sacks.
The Panthers clearly feel happy with what they have.
For now, at least.
Generating pressure consistently was a problem for the Panthers before Reddick came on board. If the same complications emerge in 2022, then it will put a significant dent in any hope of progressing encouragingly during a critical season for head coach Matt Rhule.
With this in mind, we took an in-depth look at what the Panthers have at the defensive end position in the latest edition of our pre-training camp depth chart focus.
The Rookie Project
Amare Barno – Carolina Panthers DE/OLB
The Carolina Panthers managed to get themselves an intriguing development project that can be developed into a productive performer late in the 2022 NFL Draft. Amare Barno is still a little rough around the edges, but the prospect possesses high athletic traits that the front office seeks heavily in almost every new recruit coming on board from the college level.
Barno has the explosiveness to make things happen. However, his pass-rushing moves need refinement and the Virginia Tech product also needs to bulk up before coming up against formidable offensive linemen at the next level.
Using Barno as a special teams piece while he gets other areas of his game up to speed would be wise. Hopefully, the rookie can adjust quickly and earn prominent reps on the rotation as the campaign goes on.
Brian Burns – Carolina Panthers DE
There is a huge weight on Brian Burns‘ shoulders next season. The defensive end took another leap forward last time around to record nine sacks and earn a first Pro Bowl selection, which made it a no-brainer for the Carolina Panthers to pick up his fifth-year option way ahead of the deadline.
Burns clearly benefitted from the presence of Haason Reddick flying off the other edge. However, that won’t be the case next season and it will be interesting to see how the former first-round pick copes with being the primary target for opposing protection schemes constantly.
The Florida State product has everything athletic tool imaginable to potentially enter the elite category of pass rushers in the coming years. Burns has also received praise for his emergence into a leadership role to further enhance his influence on and off the field.
Judging by how Burns is looking during offseason workouts, he’s bulked up a little away from the gridiron. Something that should improve his ability to stop the run providing there is more gap discipline from the player once competitive action commences.
Turning considerable pressures into more sacks would also help Burns reach the next level. He is an integral member of the team and if further strides are made, then the Panthers might give him one of their most lucrative extensions ever.
Yetur Gross-Matos – Carolina Panthers DE
Not prioritizing adding another dominant pass-rusher to the ranks in the wake of Haason Reddick’s departure is the biggest indicator yet of the confidence surrounding Yetur Gross-Matos. The former second-round pick has flashed dominance and explosiveness in equal measure over his first two years in the league, but the Carolina Panthers will be demanding much more from a projected starting berth in 2022.
Gross-Matos is a gifted individual that can operate either on the edge or as a three-technique on the interior. His ability in run stopping has gradually progressed and the player is also capable of generating pressure in obvious pass-rushing situations.
It’s been frustrating at times due to injury and a spell on the COVID-19 list. But opportunity certainly knocks for Gross-Matos next season and a true breakout campaign might not be far behind if he puts his outstanding physical attributes together.
Carolina needs someone else to step up. Otherwise, it will make things difficult for Brian Burns to create havoc with so much attention aimed in his direction.
Gross-Matos has a lot going for him, there is absolutely no doubt about that. Whether he can continue progressing with additional responsibilities further up the depth chart is a storyline to keep a close eye on.
Marquis Haynes – Carolina Panthers DE/OLB
Marquis Haynes is a player that has done a lot with very little over his career so far. The Carolina Panthers used the edge defender as a rotational piece and after the player left his mark, it was expected that the Ole Miss product would look for more playing time elsewhere once he hit the free-agent market.
As it turned out, the Panthers managed to get an extension agreed with Haynes. Money was obviously no issue – the deal states that – so the promise of increased reps was something that probably tipped the scales in Carolina’s favor.
Looking at the team’s options right now, it appears as if Haynes is No. 3 on the depth chart behind Brian Burns and Yetur Gross-Matos. This is sure to come with more than the 21 percent snap share on defense he was given in 2021.
With seven sacks over the last two seasons, Haynes is another that could enjoy a significant upturn in numbers once his time on the field increases. Something the Panthers will need in no uncertain terms after Haason Reddick left for the Philadelphia Eagles.
Haynes is a physical rusher with a tireless motor and always seems to be in the right place at the right time. These traits could make his recent extension look like tremendous value when it’s all said and done.
The rest
As stated previously, there doesn’t appear to be much in the way of quality depth at the defensive end position next season. Although that could change if someone surges up the ranks or another productive body is acquired before the campaign gets underway.
Of the rest, it appears as if Darryl Johnson is the best of the bunch. The Carolina Panthers struck a deal with the Buffalo Bills to get the young prospect to the franchise last year, but this didn’t come with much in the way of playing time and it remains to be seen just what his long-term aspirations are despite some strong athletic qualities.
There are others further down the pecking order that might fancy their chances of making the team with a strong showing in training camp. Jacob Tuioti-Mariner, Frank Herron, and Austin Larkin come with limited ability but Carolina will get a long look at them all during the preparation period.
Little is expected of Drew Jordan and Aaron Mosby after both arrived in undrafted free agency. So if one or perhaps both do enough to make the practice squad, this represents a solid foundation from which they can build.
From the outside looking in, the Panthers might not have enough. But fortunately for fans and the team, they do have enough salary-cap space to make another move should they wish.