4 Panthers who could get more playing time under Ejiro Evero in 2023
By Dean Jones
Which Carolina Panthers players could get more time on the field under new defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero in 2023?
The Carolina Panthers are in the midst of putting together an exceptional coaching staff under Frank Reich. While some important decisions remain and playing personnel matters to solve soon, one cannot be anything other than impressed by the way things are currently unfolding.
Reich’s latest high-profile appointment put the NFL on notice. Ejiro Evero spurned other offers to become Carolina’s new defensive coordinator, which has the scope to take an already gifted unit to a completely different stratosphere when competitive games arrive once again.
Evero’s arrival has sent excitement through the roof within the team’s long-suffering fanbase. It could also mean good news for some on the fringes in pursuit of additional involvement next season.
With this in mind, here are four Panthers who could get more playing time under Evero in 2023.
Player No. 1
Sam Franklin Jr. – Carolina Panthers DB
Providing Sam Franklin Jr. returns on a new deal, there is a lot to like about his chances of further strides within Ejiro Evero’s scheme. The former Temple star is already highly regarded for his special teams’ contribution, even if his involvement on the defensive rotation was somewhat restricted under Matt Rhule and Steve Wilks.
Franklin has the right sort of explosiveness and is instinctive enough to excel in Evero’s system, which often operates with six defensive backs. However, much will depend on how the coordinator perceives his contribution since joining the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent in 2020.