It's been a frantic offseason for general manager Dan Morgan. There was a big job to fix a roster that achieved just two wins in 2023. The actions were swift and the Carolina Panthers seem to be in a much better spot as a result.
Fans are slowly coming around after raising concerns about Morgan's promotion initially. They are also adopting a wait-and-see approach after being fooled by offseason hope that came with no substance attached under the previous two coaching regimes.
Morgan deserves credit for the professional approach made throughout his first recruitment period as general manager. However, the new front office leader admitted not every problem was going to be solved in one fell swoop.
This is a long road back to respectability and miracles are not going to happen overnight. With this in mind, here are three Panthers position groups that could become weak links in 2024.
Carolina Panthers left tackle
The Carolina Panthers made two outstanding additions to their offensive line interior in free agency. Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis were acquired at great expense, something that brings a level of accomplished performance levels and should make quarterback Bryce Young's life easier along the way.
Giving Young more time in the pocket is crucial. The interior is solid and right tackle Taylor Moton remains a supremely consistent presence. This places the microscope firmly on Ikem Ekwonu entering a critical Year 3 of his professional career.
Ekwonu regressed considerably last season. The former first-round pick revealed that he got too complacent and thought the job was done. Such honesty is commendable, but it places the North Carolina State product firmly on the hot seat in 2024.
If Ekwonu fluffs his lines once again and becomes a weak link, the Panthers have a big problem on their hands. Something that could see Dan Morgan pull the plug on this experiment either during or after the campaign.
Carolina Panthers edge rushers
The Carolina Panthers had grave questions to answer at the edge rushing position entering the offseason. They are even greater now.
Brian Burns was traded to the New York Giants for compensation way below his talent level. Ferocious linebacker Frankie Luvu turned down Carolina's extension offer in favor of a move to the Washington Commanders. Yetur Gross-Matos' emergence into a dependable rotational piece in 2023 saw him join the San Francisco 49ers when free agency struck.
This decimated an already threadbare unit. The Panthers signed Jadeveon Clowney and D.J. Wonnum to fill the starting void. K'Lavon Chaisson penned a one-year deal, but confidence is slim regarding his chances after securing five sacks in four seasons throughout his stint with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Clowney and Wonnum can be productive, but there's no telling for sure. Both have endured injury complications throughout their respective careers. Both have significant concerns about how they'll cope with being a focal point of opposing protection schemes after benefitting from a strong supporting cast elsewhere.
The Panthers are going to have a huge problem if one of the aforementioned starting duo goes down with a long-term complication. They are devoid of any legitimate depth on the edge. This could be exposed quickly unless someone like D.J. Johnson makes a surprising surge forward over the summer.
Dan Morgan will be watching developments closely. One couldn't dismiss the possibility of another productive edge rusher coming in off the waiver wire once good players start getting cut around the league. Something that appears a necessity from the outside looking in.
If the new general manager sticks with what he has, it's a gamble of epic proportions. One that could jeopardize Ejiro Evero's chances of bolstering his head coaching credentials next season.
Pressure breaks pipes. The Panthers don't have enough players capable of forcing the issue as it stands. However, there's still time for that to change before Week 1 at the New Orleans Saints.
Carolina Panthers cornerbacks
Another area where the Carolina Panthers look light of reliable options is the cornerback position. Dan Morgan seems happy enough with the options available, but that shouldn't prevent the general manager from fortifying the unit before Week 1 depending on what opportunities present themselves.
Donte Jackson was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers as part of the deal to acquire wide receiver Diontae Johnson. C.J. Henderson left for the Houston Texans in free agency. This was no great loss after he failed to raise his consistency levels following an eye-catching trade from the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Troy Hill re-signed a one-year deal. The Panthers also signed Dane Jackson, who has a big fan in Morgan and could occupy the starting position opposite Jaycee Horn.
There are questions around the rest, including rookie Chau Smith-Wade. This group's fortunes rest almost entirely on Horn's health. He must put a consistent run of games together to avoid the passing defense becoming a weak link next season.
This is a crossroads campaign for Horn. His talent as a shutdown coverage presence is undeniable. However, featuring just 22 times over three seasons thanks to a series of frustrating health complications became an ongoing worry.
The Panthers triggered Horn's fifth-year option this offseason. This was a vote of confidence in the player. It also allows the franchise to keep its options open if the same injury concerns rear their ugly head in 2024.
Hopefully, defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero can do more with the options available once again. Anything less could see the cornerback room become an easy target for opposing offenses.
Rumors linking Stephon Gilmore with a return to the Panthers seem to be evaporating quickly. But don't be surprised if Morgan gets another corner into the fold with the potential to accumulate prominent rotational reps right out of the gate.
That would be a great help based on how things stand currently.