Second-round rookie nose tackle Lee Hunter looked like one of the more intriguing young players on the roster during OTAs and training camp, but that hasn't carried over into the preseason.
And after three games, it's fair to start wondering if Hunter is going to show up at all.
Hunter has recorded just two tackles and one tackle for loss through three preseason games. His latest performance against the Jacksonville Jaguars produced one tackle for loss, but he finished with a 45.5 grade from Pro Football Focus, the third-lowest mark among Panthers defenders in the game.
Lee Hunter must start imposing himself on Carolina Panthers defensive trenches
The strange part is that Hunter's lack of production isn't what Carolina expected coming into August.
The team praised Hunter for his physical play. They described him as someone who had stood out during camp, which makes the preseason inconsistencies more frustrating.
It’s pretty obvious that the Panthers' defensive line could use him. But there were always going to be growing pains during his initial transition from college to the pros.
Tershawn Wharton isn’t back from undergoing neck surgery yet, while Pro Bowl defensive lineman Derrick Brown was held out of the Jaguars game along with several other defensive starters. LaBryan Ray opted for retirement, instantly giving those further down the depth chart more work.
With those players unavailable, Hunter started alongside Bobby Brown III and Jared Harrison-Hunte. Aside from one or two brief flashes, improvements are needed.
The Panthers clearly want to find out what they have in him, but the current depth chart makes the situation even more interesting. Cam Jackson is listed ahead of Hunter, with the Texas Tech product projected as the No. 2 nose tackle right now.
Carolina Panthers won't panic about Lee Hunter's quiet preseason efforts
Now that's not necessarily a bad thing for Hunter.
Jackson is a young player himself, and depth charts in August aren't permanent. But it does show that Hunter hasn't simply walked into a major role because of where Carolina drafted him. And that should be the goal.
The Panthers are trying to build a deeper defensive front around Brown. They will be expecting Hunter to eventually take on more responsibility.
And the sooner he does it, the better.
Hunter needs to start turning promising practice flashes into actual game disruption. If he can't, Carolina may have to rely more heavily on veterans and other young players to fill the void.
There is still time for Hunter to change the narrative, and it's way too early to fully judge. One strong preseason performance, followed by a good start when the real action commences, would make these concerns feel pretty insignificant.
But right now, the Panthers have to be a little worried.
Their second-round pick has been healthy, he's getting opportunities, and the production simply hasn't followed.
For Hunter, that needs to change soon.
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