Which Carolina Panthers news stories are hitting the headlines as the team's mandatory minicamp officially gets underway later today?
Good morning and happy mandatory minicamp day. The Carolina Panthers embark on another important preparation date later today, which is the final chance players and staff has to hone their respective skills and implement ideas before training camp in Spartanburg.
Among the stories causing conversation on this notable occasion include Brian Burns' ranking among other edge rushers, doubts about Jaycee Horn's durability, Cade Mays' increasing confidence entering Year 2, and the Panthers' being urged to avoid signing free-agent running back Dalvin Cook.
Let's delve into each topic in more detail.
Carolina Panthers OL Cade Mays' increasing confidence
After being treated as a development project during his first season with the Carolina Panthers, offensive lineman Cade Mays is looking for more involvement next time around. With Austin Corbett expected to miss some regular-season time thanks to a torn ACL, a window of opportunity has emerged.
Others will also fancy their chances, but Mays has been getting a lot of work with the first team throughout early workouts. Something that's given the former sixth-round selection out of Tennessee added confidence based on his comments via Augusta Stone from the team's website.
"I just feel like I feel more confident. I feel like I know the playbook better. I've been playing the majority (at) right guard and center, so I feel comfortable at those spots. I just feel prepared, like I come out here, and I feel like I'm ready. I added some muscle mass in the offseason, got a little bit stronger. So all that stuff has helped me this year."Cade Mays via Panthers.com
Mays will get the first shot, with the likes of Justin McCray, Chander Zavala, Cam Erving, and Michael Jordan ready to go if he cannot meet expectations. We're still early in the process, but the signs are encouraging nonetheless.
Carolina Panthers DE Brian Burns ranked among peers
Brian Burns is about to be paid like an elite pass-rusher before the 2023 season arrives. Something the Carolina Panthers might want to sort out sooner rather than later considering Nick Bosa's deal will completely reset the market.
The Panthers are going to be heavily reliant on Burns once again in 2023. They've done nothing to strengthen their pass rush aside from moving up to draft D.J. Johnson at No. 80 overall, which is a calculated risk that improved coaching can propel those around to better fortunes.
That doesn't detract from Burns' importance after two-straight Pro Bowl selections. When ranking the former Florida State star among his NFL peers recently, Trevor Sikkema of Pro Football Focus placed him at No. 12, which was the bottom of Tier 2. The writer added that achieving a more consistent win rate could see him surge up the ranking next year.
"[Brian] Burns has recorded 30.5 sacks over the last three seasons — seventh most in the league — and his 174 total pressures ranked fourth. Nonetheless, his pass rush win percentage remains low, averaging just 10.5% over that time span. Becoming more consistent with how and when he wins is what he needs to do to rank higher on this list in the future."Trevor Sikkema, Pro Football Focus
Once Burns pens his mega-money contract extension, expectations will rise as a result. And if the 2019 first-round selection does get elite-level money, the production must match if Carolina wants a return on what's going to be a substantial investment.
Carolina Panthers urged to avoid Dalvin Cook
Dalvin Cook is still weighing up options after his long-awaited release by the Minnesota Vikings was confirmed. The running back should be motivated to prove his previous employers wrong wherever he ends up next, but the player might be waiting a while if the reported contract demands are accurate.
Many have touted the Carolina Panthers as a potential fit for Cook despite signing Miles Sanders for decent money earlier this spring. Even though it would add something a little different to what the offense already has, Schuyler Callihan from Sports Illustrated stated that it's a proposition the franchise should avoid.
"[Carolina] Panthers GM Scott Fitterer told fans when he took the job that he would "be in on every deal" and so far, he's fulfilled that promise. That doesn't mean that every big name that pops up in free agency or trade rumors should take precedent over the team's needs. [Dalvin] Cook is without a doubt one of the best backs in the league having rushed for 1,100+ yards in four consecutive seasons. But spending more money in the running back room just doesn't seem like something Fitterer would or should do."Schuyler Callihan, Sports Illustrated
Joining the Panthers is unlikely to be among Cook's top destinations all things considered. The former second-round pick out of Florida State might have his sights set on a contending team, which Carolina couldn't guarantee during their first campaign with Frank Reich at the helm.
Cook and Sanders would be a phenomenal backfield tandem. Even though it appears extremely unlikely.
Carolina Panthers CB Jaycee Horn's durability questioned
Now that the dust has settled on Jaycee Horn's injury, the Carolina Panthers continue to ignore bringing in reinforcements on the off chance that these slight concerns evolve into something more. Whether it's blind faith in others such as C.J. Henderson or Keith Taylor Jr. or not remains to be seen, but the coaching staff is definitely seeing something we don't.
This has surged to among Carolina's biggest worries alongside finding a productive edge rusher opposite Brian Burns. The fact there are more experienced, genuine football men within the building raises confidence in the decision-making process, but this all counts for nothing if Horn cannot remain on the field for a prolonged period.
When examining the state of Carolina's cornerback room, Mike Kaye of the Charlotte Observer via Yahoo Sports found it hard to find confidence in Horn turning out for a full 17-game slate. Although he did acknowledge that the former South Carolina star is among the team's most talented individuals when fit and firing on all cylinders.
"When healthy, [Jaycee] Horn is a top-three player on the Panthers’ roster. However, Horn has already missed 17 games due to injury during the first two seasons of his career. With this latest ailment, the “injury-prone” label will be hard for Horn to avoid. Although it’s a good sign that he is projected to be ready for training camp, it’s hard to feel confident that Horn will hold up throughout a 17-game season given his injury history. Horn needs to continue to grow as a player and avoid the sideline as much as possible entering Year 3 of his NFL career."Mike Kaye via Yahoo Sports
Keeping Horn fresh will take a collective effort. The coaching staff must manage practice reps effectively and the player must also realize that going full tilt anywhere outside of a game-day environment is no longer the best course of action.