Players with the Most to Gain in Training Camp

[Seltzer]

https://clutchpoints.com/3-players-with-the-most-to-gain-in-training-camp-for-the-panthers/

Article lists 3 players:

1) Curtis Samuel- Opportunity to claim the WR2 spot (Although I would argue him and DJ Moore could be considered 1A & 1B in this offense).  Personally I think he more than proved that over the last few games last year.

2) Shaq Thompson- Opportunity to finally prove he is a worthy successor to TD and become a good fit as an ILB in the new defense.  Also has a big 2nd contract (either here or elsewhere) on his overall performance this year.

3) Rashaan Gaulden- Opportunity to prove the staff's belief in him by not drafting and/or signing a FA is justified, and that he can be an effective starter.  Easy to argue he has the most of anyone on the roster to gain by a good TC and preseason.

 

I would also add the following:

4) Greg Little- Opportunity to justify Hurney trading up for him and being able to competently start at LT in Week 1.  I think Little being able to start at LT with Darryl Williams at LG would give the team potentially the best starting Oline during Cam's tenure.

5) Brian Burns- Obviously every 1st Rounder has to prove they were worthy of the draft pick, and Burns is no exception.  I think a lot of Panthers fans (myself included) are concerned about how well he will hold up when big offensive tacklers get their hands on him.  Burns has elite speed and burst, but this fanbase has seen quite a few "speed rushers" that could never be anything other than a situational player.  Hopefully he will be able to maintain the weight he gained since last year and maintain his quickness.  Teams draft players in the 1st round that they think can potentially play on every down.  Burns won't have that pressure from Day 1, but the teams needs him to prove he can be an effective starter by the end of the year since Addison and Irvin will be FA's.  Training camp and preseason will show where Burns is at against pro competition and how far he needs to improve.

 

How would you guys add to this list?

[mc52beast]

Was going to add Little and Burns. Hurney’s top 2 picks have to play well or at least show they can handle playing with the big boys. If they crap their pants it could be the end for Hurney. 

[rippadonn]

Somehow I have a feeling that Burns will have a similar type of rookie year as Donte Jackson.

Did my research and I can see how his game can translate directly into the NFL. He's got the frame and enough upper body strength to engage with NFL offensive lineman and as a rookie coming in has a nice bag of tricks and combos to disengage quickly. He can play day one.

[rippadonn]

Burns plays with a basketball finesse not agression necessarily. He gets there fast.

[Moo Daeng]

Gaulden

Little 

Scarlett

Miller

Not sure what Thompson has to gain in camp. Hes a starter. Anything he can prove is on the field game days.

Samuel has already shown what he is capable of. If he can just stay healthy I suppose it shows something 

[thunderraiden]

Slot corner / safety #2 / Entire Left Side of O-line / EDGE

[LinvilleGorge]

Everyone on the bubble of getting a roster spot. NFL minimum salary for a rookie is $495k and goes up from there with experience. Very, VERY few people make that kind of money regardless of age and experience.

[panthers55]

I think Samuel needs to show he can stay healthy as Moo said. And certainly Shaq needs to show he is worth big money and Gaulden just needs to show he can play free safety.   I don't know they have more to gain than everyone on a 1 year contract who isn't a starter.  Poe is a free agent next year. He needs to be solid or he is gone. Is he a guaranteed starter? That is the plan but a strong camp and preseason cements it. McCoy is trying to show he hasn't dropped off and is worth big money. Rotations are made in July and August. If you come out smoking you are in the driver's seat.  Do vets need great camps and preseason, depends on whether you are the projected starter or fighting for a spot. 

What about the backup quarterback battle? Allen and Heinicke have to outshine Grier by a bunch or we keep only 2 quarterbacks and not three. In either case a strong preseason could land one of them the backup role and the loser a chance somewhere else.

And let not forgets guys injured all last year that need to help the secondary. Guys like Cockrell and Luke need to have a great camp and preseason to make the roster. Cockrell certainly came here with high expectations. And what about Cox

[mc52beast]

A lot of players could make this list;

Can the defense in general pick up on Ron’s new scheme. You don’t go from a 4-3 to a “hybrid” 3-4 without any problems. Who picks it up quickly and who struggles?

Paradis/Williams- both coming off severe injuries. Can they play to the lofty expectations.

Ian Thomas- kid showed in year one that he has the tools to succeed, will he be good enough to take Olsen’s spot in 2020

Can one of the rb’s finally step up and lay claim to the #2 behind CMC

[Khyber53]

1 hour ago, mc52beast said:

A lot of players could make this list;

Can the defense in general pick up on Ron’s new scheme. You don’t go from a 4-3 to a “hybrid” 3-4 without any problems. Who picks it up quickly and who struggles?

Paradis/Williams- both coming off severe injuries. Can they play to the lofty expectations.

Ian Thomas- kid showed in year one that he has the tools to succeed, will he be good enough to take Olsen’s spot in 2020

Can one of the rb’s finally step up and lay claim to the #2 behind CMC

I think this set is who I also think have the most opportunity/ most to prove.

Paradis signed as the big get for the future. Has he healed enough to perform as before or higher? Is Williams able to compete at a level that makes re-signing him a no brainer? Can he even earn a starting spot on the O-line for opening day? Has he healed and kept his conditioning up?

And while we are on O-line, both Moton and van Roten finished up the season in the starting lineup. Can they take the next step and solidify spots? Was Moton a one and done guy or a long-term force to be reckoned with? Can van Roten step up his game a notch to actually be the best choice for a starter there or even earn a back-up position on a group that looks stronger than it has in the past six or seven years?

Ian Thomas has a huge test ahead of him. Can he fill Olsen's shoes after this season or will we be looking high in the draft for one? There were flashes of promise, but we're quickly running out of runway for him to take off.

Can anyone step up and be that #2 RB? In this case it isn't a change of pace guy (CMC can handle all the paces out there), but an actual guy who can take over in case of injury, exhaustion or just needing the kill the clock in a game already won. There's a lot of guys there who just stood around last season and didn't have much to offer. 

And Dontari Poe. Big guy has to make an impact this season. He'll either make it in there at NT or we'll be looking for a replacement pretty quick. That was a big, big contract he signed and I think he still owes us quite a bit from his end of it. If he shines out, though, he's in perfect position to lock something down that could carry him out for the rest of his career.

[Dex]

Anyone in a contract year that wants to start or get more reps.

[shulasmyhero]

The vets don't have much to prove in training camp.  Guys like Shaq, Poe, Short, Samuel, Paradis, Williams etc. etc. need to prove it in the regular season and beyond. 

The rookies and projects (i.e Gaulden, Obada) have the most to gain in training camp.

[Panthers8969]

Shaq has nothing to gain as he’s locked in at a starting LB role. However I’d love for this to be the year all the “this is shaqs year” articles are right.