Which Carolina Panthers players have caught the eye over the first quarter of 2022 despite a dismal 1-3 record to show for their efforts?
It’s not been the most profitable start for the Carolina Panthers in 2022. Matt Rhule is a man on the brink after accumulating just one win from their opening four contests and with a tough stretch of games to come, things could get very ugly midway through the campaign.
There is too much talent on this roster to be languishing in such a manner. Serious questions surround the offense under Ben McAdoo, which is also having a ripple effect on quarterback Baker Mayfield despite the presence of a much improved offensive line – two elements that continue to hold Carolina back.
Just where the Panthers go from here remains to be seen. It’s going to take a monumental amount of character to turn things around, but to say time is of the essence would be the biggest understatement imaginable.
It hasn’t all been bad, though. With this in mind, we ranked the 10 best Panthers players from the first quarter of 2022.
Player No. 10
Brady Christensen – Carolina Panthers OL
There was some debate about where the Carolina Panthers would deploy Brady Christensen this off-season. The coaching staff gave him the majority of reps at left tackle in training camp before finally installing Ikem Ekwonu, but the BYU product deserves credit for adjusting accordingly and giving a tremendous account of himself on the offensive line interior.
Christensen has been pretty consistent at left guard and contributed heavily to some improved fortunes on the interior. The 2021 third-round pick has found his feet and looks comfortable as a starter, which should have occurred much quicker than it did during his rookie campaign.
Johnny Hekker – Carolina Panthers P
For all the Carolina Panthers’ problems on offense, their defense still has some life thanks in no small part to the punting of Johnny Hekker. Any concerns regarding his supposed dip in form for the Los Angeles Rams during their memorable Super Bowl run have been quashed, with the player providing much-needed stability at an important time.
Judging by how Carolina’s offense has fared of late, Hekker’s role will remain important. But with so many questions elsewhere, the Panthers can relax safe in the knowledge they have a dependable kicking duo to rely upon.
Hopefully, for Hekker and the Panthers, this is a trend that continues long into the future.
Pat Elflein – Carolina Panthers C
Who saw this coming?
After a disastrous first season with the Carolina Panthers, there was derision within the team’s fanbase when Matt Rhule announced Pat Elflein as the Week 1 starter at center. These groans of discontent grew due to the presence of free-agent signing Bradley Bozeman sitting on the sidelines waiting for a chance.
If this was the last chance saloon for Elflein, he’s risen to the challenge. Outside of some snapping issues in Week 1, the Ohio State product has been assured on running downs, communicated well, and excelled in pass protection for good measure.
Elflein is not back in everyone’s good graces just yet. But in all honesty, he couldn’t have done much more to turn things around.
Xavier Woods – Carolina Panthers S
It’s been encouraging to see Xavier Woods instantly thriving throughout the opening stages of 2022. The Carolina Panthers moved quickly in free agency to secure his services from the Minnesota Vikings and based on what we’ve seen so far, it looks like money well spent.
Woods’ veteran savvy on the backend has been a real asset. Something that needs to evolve further in the coming weeks if Jeremy Chinn is forced to miss time due to an injury suffered in Carolina’s loss against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 4.
As for Woods, it’s been so far, so good. And the player deserves enormous credit for getting his career back on track after struggling with the Dallas Cowboys in 2020.
Austin Corbett – Carolina Panthers OL
As part of their offensive line revamp this offseason, Austin Corbett was a primary target and acquired thanks to a nice allocation of money in his direction. After a shaky outing in Week 1, the right guard has looked the part ever since and is another big reason why this unit looks night and day from the one that caused so much turmoil in 2021.
Corbett has yet to give up a sack or concede a penalty from 224 snaps so far en route to an exceptional 77.4 grade from Pro Football Focus. His leadership is another area that’s benefitting the Panthers significantly alongside stud right tackle Taylor Moton.
This is the biggest upgrade from John Miller’s inconsistency last season. Carolina’s offense has many flaws, but Corbett is not one of them that’s for sure.
Jaycee Horn – Carolina Panthers CB
Despite getting a rough ride from Amari Cooper in Week 1, the contribution of Jaycee Horn has been pleasing so far. The cornerback needed to get his football legs back after missing so much time in 2021 with a broken foot, but he looks every bit the shutdown cornerback the Carolina Panthers drafted him to be at No. 8 overall.
Horn is physical and athletic in equal measure. He is giving up just 44.4 percent of passes thrown in his direction and a 37.0 passer rating when targeted to further enhance the player’s status.
More importantly, Horn is showing no lingering effects to the surgically repaired foot. Something that indicates the South Carolina product is only going to get better.
Christian McCaffrey – Carolina Panthers RB
If it wasn’t for Christian McCaffrey, there’s just no telling how bad the Panthers’ offense would look. Even though the running back’s usage has been called into question, that does not detract from how impressive he’s been over the first four games of 2022.
McCaffrey’s talent has never been in question. Keeping him healthy is the biggest problem and despite some short spells on the injury report, it’s been pretty smooth sailing.
This is the McCaffrey we all know and love. But the sooner Ben McAdoo finds the right balance regarding how the former first-round pick is deployed, the better Carolina’s chances will be.
Brian Burns – Carolina Panthers DE
There was an enormous amount of pressure on Brian Burns heading into the 2022 season. The Carolina Panthers opted not to bring back Haason Reddick despite the edge rusher gaining 11 sacks in 2021, leaving opposing defenses free to focus their attention more prominently on the Florida State product.
Thankfully, Burns has risen to the occasion. His ability to wreak havoc in backfields remains steady in the face of additional chips and double teams, with the player also improving gap discipline against the run, which was a big question mark heading into the campaign.
This is very promising from Burns. If the sack numbers reflect his performance levels as the campaign goes on, then expect the pass-rusher to be a very rich man next spring.
Derrick Brown – Carolina Panthers DT
Much like the rest of Carolina’s roster, the campaign did not begin well for Derrick Brown against the Cleveland Browns. Since that, however, the defensive tackle has been a commanding force and proving the Panthers right for drafting him at No. 7 overall in 2020.
Brown’s best work doesn’t necessarily fill up the stat sheet. But he is consistently moving the line of scrimmage and making things easier for the likes of Matt Ioannidis and Burns around him.
Any questions that surrounded Brown prior to the season have now vanished. And picking up the former Auburn standout’s fifth-year option seems like a no-brainer right now.
Frankie Luvu – Carolina Panthers LB
When the Carolina Panthers took a chance on Frankie Luvu in 2021 free agency, not even the biggest optimist would have predicted such an impact. The outside linebacker was a core part of the rotation last season and has thrived with additional responsibilities over the first four weeks of the current campaign.
Carolina did the right thing by handing Luvu a two-year, $9 million deal with a $3 million signing bonus and $4.5 million guaranteed. Based on his performances so far, it’s an absolute steal in no uncertain terms.
Luvu has been everywhere on the field, providing energy and enthusiasm that’s been the driving force on defense. He’s also improved his turnovers considerably with a pick-six and forced fumble already in 2022.
There’s nothing to suggest Luvu cannot emerge as one of the league’s best at the position if he continues on this trajectory. He’s gone from rotational piece to core figure in a matter of months, which is further reflected in his eye-catching 72.7 grade from Pro Football Focus.
With 32 tackles, five tackles for loss, one quarterback hit, and two pressures, Luvu is easily Carolina’s best performer over the first quarter of 2022. The Washington State product is also emerging as a prominent leader within the locker room, which is an incredible story all things considered.