5 Panthers players to watch closely at mandatory minicamp in 2022

Which Carolina Panthers players should be watched closely during the team’s upcoming mandatory minicamp ahead of the 2022 season? 

Excitement is building as the Carolina Panthers get set to take the field for what promises to be a fascinating mandatory minicamp ahead of the 2022 season. This will be the first time that every member of the roster has come together, which represents another opportunity to build the right foundations for a productive campaign in the fall.

The Panthers have some exciting young pieces that are all developing at the same time. They did lose some established veterans throughout the spring, but there could be enough to make encouraging strides providing the quarterback situation doesn’t become a weak link as we’ve seen plenty during Matt Rhule’s tenure.

What transpires during the team’s mandatory minicamp will have a big impact ahead of Carolina’s eagerly anticipated training camp in Spartanburg. And make no mistake, generating positive momentum is absolutely crucial for the Panthers ahead of a crossroads 2022 campaign.

Without further ado, here are five Panthers players to watch closely throughout the mandatory minicamp in 2022.

Player No. 1

Xavier Woods – Carolina Panthers S

Xavier Woods has been absent throughout voluntary OTAs to deal with a personal matter. Something that obviously comes first and it’s also worth remembering that the veteran safety will already be aware of how to prepare effectively throughout the preparation period.

Getting Woods into the fold and building what will hopefully become a prolific partnership with Jeremy Chinn on the backend is a major boost. The Carolina Panthers made bringing him on board one of their top priorities in free agency, which came after the former sixth-round selection enjoyed a bounce-back season with the Minnesota Vikings in 2021.

Watching how Woods integrates within Phil Snow’s system is worth monitoring. If it’s a smooth transition, then this is going to be a tremendous addition to Carolina’s secondary and could even elevate Chinn’s game as a result.