5 early bold predictions for the Carolina Panthers season in 2022
By Luke Gray
Frankie Luvu will be Carolina Panthers’ sack leader in 2022
There are bold predictions and then there’s this. But there’s just something about Frankie Luvu that excites me.
The man is a pure game changer and we saw in limited snaps last season just what he can do. It’s predicted that the former Washington State man will be the outside linebacker starter opposite after the departure of Reddick in free agency, which is a significant opportunity for the player in 2022.
Brian Burns has developed a reputation as one of the league’s premier young edge rushers, which could work to his detriment this upcoming season. With no big-name rushers opposite him, this means he’ll be the focus of many offensive lines in terms of double teams and chip blocks. This additional attention could leave the door open for one of the Carolina Panthers’ other edge rushers to benefit from this.
My money is on Luvu simply because he just seems to be a guy that makes plays. Whether it was on the defensive rotation or special teams in 2021, he seems to be a player that can make things happen and if given a bigger role by Phil Snow, a really have a special year could be coming.
All of this hinges on how Burns deals with the added pressure that will come in his fourth year. If he can safely negotiate the double teams coming his way, the Florida State product could finally break the double-digit sack number that has eluded him so far in his career.
However, if Burns has any sort of regression don’t be surprised to see the energetic Luvu sitting atop the Panthers’ sack chart come January.