4 Panthers players who could emerge as full-time starters in 2022

Cory Littleton- Carolina Panthers LB

The linebacking core is very solid with Shaq Thompson and Frankie Luvu leading the charge from the outside. Damien Wilson’s arrival in free agency from the Jacksonville Jaguars should fix the run leakage problems from last year.

The Carolina Panthers are still missing a viable coverage linebacker. The NFL is a pass-centric league and offensive coordinators just keep finding new ways to attack defenses each year, especially at the second level.

Cory Littleton is highly intelligent in zone coverage as he knows his assignment and where the help is more often than not. The former college teammate of Thompson’s can cover running backs out of the backfield or line up over the slot against tight ends with minimal fuss.

The Washington product is very athletic with the versatile Carolina loves. Although there were some concerns about his run stopping last season with the Las Vegas Raiders.

If Luvu or Wilson struggles within the passing game and especially the run game, defensive coordinator Phil Snow will not be afraid to throw Littleton into the starting lineup as he should be comfortable with the Pro Bowler’s skill set that matches his more college-style hybrid defense.

Snow is all about versatility and using his players in the most advantageous way possible. That just happens to fall in line with what Littleton brings to Carolina’s defense.