Which Carolina Panthers players could emerge as silent assassins that can propel the team to better things during the 2022 season?
It won’t be much longer before we find out what the Carolina Panthers are made of. We are now just a few short weeks away from their season opener at home to the Cleveland Browns, which will tell us plenty about what this team is truly capable of in 2022.
To say things have been eventful this offseason would be an understatement. The Panthers were extremely active regarding recruitment, which has seen increased competition for places and renewed hope that the right answers have finally come on board in key positions.
With preseason games now coming to a conclusion, plans are being finalized and it’s vital the Panthers get these right. But if head coach Matt Rhule wants to attain genuine progress, then the whole roster from top to bottom must contribute in some capacity.
On this topic, we picked out four Panthers players that could become silent assassins for the team in 2022.
Silent Assassin No. 1
Derrick Brown – Carolina Panthers DT
While others have generated notable headlines throughout the preparation period, little has been mentioned about Derrick Brown. Whether that’s a good or bad thing for the defensive tackle is unclear, but the Carolina Panthers are expecting the former first-round selection to make significant strides in the coming months.
Brown has flashed dominant traits since he was taken at No. 7 overall in 2020. The Auburn product hasn’t been blessed with much continuity alongside him on the defensive line interior, with Matt Ioannidis set to become his third partner in as many campaigns since arriving in the league.
Opposing teams keyed in on Brown from the moment he stepped onto the field. Finding a way to produce the goods with so much attention will ultimately determine whether his third season will reach Pro Bowl-type performance.