4 Panthers players who could emerge as full-time starters in 2022
By Preston Seyl
Which Carolina Panthers players could emerge as the full-time starters during the 2022 season?
With the 53-man roster confirmed by the Carolina Panthers earlier this week, all positions are filled barring any more transactions. However, many players could have a short leash heading into the season and might be replaced if their performance on the field is not up to the required standard.
The 2022 Panthers squad is very talented and deep within almost every positional group. This is a luxury to have if injuries pile up or the starters are not producing the goods at the level the coaches expect. Matt Rhule is also feeling the heat heading into Year 3, so the stakes could not be higher.
This is normally the time when Rhule’s teams take that next step and he expects no different this year. The head coach feels they have a solid roster with depth in every room that they haven’t had.
Hopefully, this will provide the Panthers with flexibility if injury or poor performance equates to some early losses on the field. Rhule has added urgency to help his team succeed in any way possible this year.
With that being said, here are four Panthers who could emerge as full-time starters as the 2022 season progresses.
Player No.1
Bradley Bozeman – Carolina Panthers C
This would not have been a question if Bradley Bozeman did not sustain an ankle injury during camp. He could still start in Week 1, even though there was a so-called position battle between the free-agent signing and Pat Elflein.
Elflein was mediocre at best last season for the Carolina Panthers. This has many questioning the decision to bring him on board after troubling spells with the Minnesota Vikings and New York Jets.
The Ohio State product played 450 snaps at center in 2021 and ended up with an overall grade of 50.1 from Pro Football Focus. This included 42.0 for pass blocking and 52.2 on running downs.
When Bozeman is back to full health, he’ll be the starter. And all signs point to this potentially happening right out of the gate.