Princely Umanmielen entered the NFL with plenty of physical talent, but his rookie season with the Carolina Panthers was more about flashes than production.Â
Now, after a strong offseason and the season-ending injury to fellow second-year edge rusher Nic Scourton, the Panthers could be asking Umanmielen to show what he can really do.
And he must turn this significant opportunity into something much more.
Princely Umanmielen must take advantage of his increased role with the Carolina Panthers
Head coach Dave Canales has also made it clear that the Panthers want more from Umanmielen in Year 2.
Canales said the team already knows Umanmielen can rush the passer. The next step is becoming more consistent against the run and handling different blocks and responsibilities well enough to stay on the field for more downs.
That could be the difference between Umanmielen remaining a rotational player and becoming a legitimate part of Carolina's defensive front seven.
The Panthers did not enter the offseason expecting Umanmielen to have to carry this much responsibility. But he's going to get it anyway.
Scourton was expected to start opposite free-agent signing Jaelan Phillips after producing five sacks and 47 tackles as a rookie. But he suffered a torn ACL on the first day of Carolina's training camp and was placed on season-ending injured reserve.
The former Texas A&M standout will now be watching from the sidelines. But this is the NFL, where disappointment for one means a chance for another.
Nic Scourton's injury setback could benefit Princely Umanmielen greatly
The injury to Scourton immediately changed the outlook for Carolina's edge group. And if he seizes the moment, Umanmielen could be the biggest beneficiary.
Veteran Patrick Jones II is also in the mix, and the Panthers added UFL Defensive Player of the Year Cam Gill during training camp. Still, Umanmielen is one of the younger players who now has a chance to see his workload increase substantially.
The timing is important. Umanmielen was already entering camp with something to prove. Now he has a much clearer path to snaps.
Umanmielen has only 1.5 sacks in the NFL, so he remains an unknown quantity. The Ole Miss product still has to prove that he can consistently win against starting offensive tackles and hold up when teams run directly at him. But the ingredients are there for further growth this season and into the future.
That is why Umanmielen is especially worth watching closely this season.
If he can turn the flashes from his rookie campaign into consistent production, his second year could look very different from his first.
Umanmielen already believes he left some of his college potential untapped. Now he has a bigger opportunity to show that the Panthers' investment in him was justified.
If the preparation has really caught up with the talent, the Panthers could have a much more important pass rusher on their hands.
If not, then there will be even more pressure on Jones and Phillips.
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