4 Panthers position groups that still need improving before 2022 season
By Dean Jones
Carolina Panthers could strengthen LB spot
Finding a long-term successor to Luke Kuechly has been a difficult task for the Carolina Panthers. Not exactly surprising when one considers just how much the perennial All-Pro brought to the organization on and off the field during a glittering eight-year spell with the team.
Tahir Whitehead and Jermaine Carter failed to fit the bill. This left the Panthers going back to the drawing board this offseason, which saw them pick up Damien Wilson and Cory Littleton in free agency as well as acquire promising youngster Brandon Smith at No. 120 overall in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Wilson is awaiting his fate following an offseason arrest. This has the scope to complicate matters and might leave the Panthers with no option other than to remove him from the equation entirely.
The production of Littleton has been adequate over the last two seasons. But he is erratic against the run and this has to improve for the former Pro Bowler to stand any chance of making his presence felt.
Smith is seen as a development project with some incredibly high upside. He has all the physical attributes to be a dominant force, but the Penn State product must harness this in the right way before becoming a dependable option.
Simply put, this area might be a weak link once again. Something the Panthers could rectify judging by who is still sitting on the free-agent market.