Panthers depth chart focus: Is the CB room lacking experience?

The rest

• Rashaan Melvin
• Stantley Thomas-Oliver
• Kalon Barnes
• Chris Westry

A lot of this will depend on how many defensive backs the Carolina Panthers decide to have on their 53-man roster after training camp.

The Panthers brought nine defensive backs onto the team in 2021, with four safeties, four cornerbacks, and the versatile Myles Hartsfield, who has the ability to play anywhere in the secondary. A.J. Bouye was also missing initially as he completed a two-game suspension.

One would imagine this year that Carolina would take more than five corners. Even so, it would mean potentially two of the four names above miss out on the final roster.

Rashaan Melvin is at best a rotational piece who was brought back on a one-year deal. The veteran was originally on the practice squad last season before being elevated when injuries blighted the cornerback room – one would imagine he would find himself in a similar role this time around.

Stantley Thomas-Oliver has proven to be a special team ace during his time in Carolina. This means that once again in 2022 he will probably have a spot.

Fighting it out for the remaining position is Chris Westry – the archetypal corner general manager Scott Fitterer has brought into Carolina since taking the job. The undrafted man out of Kentucky stands at 6-foot-4 and fits the mold of the long, athletic corner the Panthers are looking for.

Westry will be battling with rookie Kalon Barnes, a seventh-round pick out of Baylor who also possesses immense speed – clocking a 4.23-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine. This was the second-fastest time since 2003 and something that was enough to hear his name called.

That incredible straight-line speed may make Barnes a real asset on special teams potentially as a gunner. This versatility may give the rookie an edge on Westry and relegate the third-year-pro to a practice squad place.