4 nightmare scenarios for the Carolina Panthers in 2022

Carolina Panthers DL takes a step back

For all the encouraging signings throughout the offseason period, the Carolina Panthers didn’t do much to address things across the defensive line despite losing two established veteran starters. DaQuan Jones leaves a big hole at defensive tackle after leaving for the Buffalo Bills, with star edge rusher Haason Reddick also departing for the Philadelphia Eagles soon after the legal tampering period got underway.

The Panthers took a calculated risk by letting both take their chances elsewhere. And especially in Reddick’s case after the former first-round pick secured 11 sacks during his one and only season on the team.

Carolina will be relying heavily on its young defensive linemen to take leaps forward. Brian Burns, Derrick Brown, and Yetur Gross-Matos could become a dominant trio providing further improvements are made, with the presence of free-agent signing Matt Ioannidis something else that might assist right out of the gate.

Marquis Haynes, Amare Barno, Daviyon Nixon, Phil Hoskins, and Bravvion Roy should also get time on the field. But there are far more questions than answers surrounding this unit ahead of the 2022 season.

If the defensive front takes a step back without Jones and Reddick, then it’ll pile more pressure on the offense. Something they might not be able to cope with depending on who the Panthers choose as their starting quarterback for the new campaign.