The Carolina Panthers are coming off a blowout preseason victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars and now refocus their attention on their second joint practice this week against the Houston Texans.
Head coach Dave Canales and general manager Dan Morgan saw productive play from the team's second- and third-string players. Of course, their performances either helped or hurt their chances of making the Panthers' final 53-man roster when cutdowns begin.
I spent some time following Friday night's game looking over the game tape. Several players had standout performances, and their abilities may just help them continue to play on Sundays this fall.
Carolina Panthers' film review from preseason win over the Jaguars
John Metchie III makes an impression
John Metchie III made a strong impression to earn a spot on the final roster. The former Alabama Crimson Tide standout is on his third team and hopes to find a role within the offense and special teams. So far, he has shown that. I loved how he attacked the football and displayed natural hands at the catch point.
He is a smooth player in everything he does — releases, separation, and yards after the catch. Metchie’s versatility as the flanker Z, slot, and return game skills will assist his case.
Another Dan Morgan undrafted gem shines again
Undrafted rookie defensive lineman Aaron Hall continues to have a good preseason. I liked the effort he showed against double teams as a pass rusher, playing low and penetrating and splitting defenders with power, length, and quickness.
I’m unsure where he’ll end up in the pecking order, but Hall deserves a roster spot as another UDFA gem of Morgan’s.
Jonathon Brooks rebounds in real time
Jonathon Brooks flashed in the second preseason game, scoring his first NFL touchdown since being drafted two years ago. There were also two separate plays in pass protection that showcase how he is getting his feet under him.
The running back had a major whiff on a third down that created an incompletion for quarterback Bryce Young. But on the next series, Brooks rebounded by working a blitzing defender around the arc to give his signal-caller a better platform.
Brooks will have some moments here and there early in the season, as he is playing his first football in a couple of years.
Jimmy Horn Jr. proves doubters wrong
For the third week in a row, Jimmy Horn Jr. made plays in a multitude of ways. He showcased vision as a return specialist, quickness and strong hands as a wide receiver, and a great third gear on the 39-yard end around that has Panthers fans drooling for more.
With rookie wide receiver Chris Brazzell II out for the season with a knee injury, I wanted to see Horn prove he can be more than just a speed receiver who is raw everywhere else and lacks special-teams abilities. He proved me wrong, and the tape has done wonders for him.
Horn's performances over the last month are likely enough to secure a spot on the 53-man roster.
Carolina Panthers are just fine at backup quarterback
At this point, Kenny Pickett is who he is as a quarterback and may spend the rest of his years as a backup with spot starts here and there.
What I saw Friday night in Jacksonville was an accurate quarterback who put the ball in spots where his receivers could make plays or give them opportunities. Once he got into a rhythm, Pickett was comfortable and made impressive throws from dirty pockets.
Young defensive backs shine
Cornerback Chau Smith-Wade and first-year safety Zakee Wheatley were two of my favorite defensive backs for the Panthers on Friday night.
Smith-Wade played more boundary cornerback than he had all preseason. He looked far more comfortable in space where he could sit in hard-flat shells and attack the football underneath, which included his leaping interception as the biggest highlight of the night.
I’m skeptical he makes the roster, but that was a game Smith-Wade needed to boost his chances.
Wheatley continues to be in the right spots within his run fits and as a tackler in space. He made a touchdown-saving tackle against Ameer Abdullah and showcased the physicality you want at the position. He was better in coverage this week, and his progress has not gone unnoticed.
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