5 Promising Young Panthers that Could Start this Season

[CarolinaLivin]

1. Deonte Brown – Carolina Panthers OG

There aren’t many players on the Carolina Panthers that come with more intrigue than Deonte Brown this offseason. The sixth-round pick has all the makings of a productive starter on the offensive line interior in the coming years, but there are certain areas that need to be monitored closely where the former Alabama star is concerned.

Brown fell in the draft due to some character concerns and the fact his weight is a potential problem most teams just didn’t want to deal with. He is an absolute mountain of a man with the college production to match. So providing staff keeps him on the right track with nutrition and regular weigh-ins it should enable momentum to continue trending in the right direction.

If the player’s transition to the professional ranks is a smooth one, he might just be a candidate to start Day 1 against the New York Jets. Carolina isn’t blessed with many solid options in this area of the field and it represents an opportunity for Brown to come in and make his presence felt right from the start.

The Panthers obviously thought he was worth taking a chance on after spending the week with Brown at the 2021 Senior Bowl. There’s no doubt Matt Rhule also sounded out Nick Saban for a more detailed perspective on the lineman, who represents a significant upgrade on anything Carolina has at its disposal if he reaches his ceiling.

 

2. Sam Franklin – Carolina Panthers S

One of the most surprising elements that emerged from the 2020 season was the encouraging impact made by Sam Franklin. The safety went undrafted before being signed up by his former college coach Matt Rhule and this familiarity enabled the player to hit the ground running and steadily force his way into the team’s plans.

Franklin gave a very good account of himself in the four starts he made as a rookie, leaving plenty of reasons to be encouraged moving forward. The Carolina Panthers are set to move Jeremy Chinn to the backend after a starring campaign at outside linebacker, but whether Juston Burris can prove worthy of being a long-term partner for the Southern Illinois product remains to be seen.

Much will depend on how Franklin develops his game this offseason.

It was a pretty steep learning curve for every rookie player in 2020 due to virtual OTAs, a restricted training camp, and no preseason games to fully adjust. But it didn’t take a genius to figure out that the Panthers think an awful lot of the player and will give him every chance of securing a more substantial role next time around.

Franklin has all the athleticism needed to forge a successful career at the next level. Last season’s experience will have done him the world of good, but what comes next will be equally as important.

 

3. Daviyon Nixon – Carolina Panthers DT

Another who slid in the 2021 NFL Draft due to major character concerns was Daviyon Nixon. The defensive tackle’s production was unquestioned during his time at Iowa but reports suggested his off-the-field issues were so concerning that some teams wiped him off their big board entirely.

The Carolina Panthers have shown a willingness to give players like this a chance. This has come with mixed success so far, but if Nixon is humbled by his concerning draft slide and reacts in a positive fashion, then defensive coordinator Phil Snow has a real player on his hands.

Nixon is an absolute menace on the interior that has the potential to cause havoc on any given down. His relentless motor is matched by a pass-rushing technique that allows him to get to the spot extremely quickly for a player his size and although there is some refinement needed against the run, there is plenty to work with from a coaching standpoint.

The Panthers brought in DaQuan Jones and Morgan Fox in free agency, so there isn’t any immediate pressure on Nixon to make an instant contribution. However, if he can display the right attitude, progress well during team drills, and make his time on the field during preseason games count, then he might just earn a prominent spot on the rotation during his rookie campaign.

 

4. Troy Pride Jr. – Carolina Panthers CB

It was always going to be difficult for Troy Pride Jr. during his rookie campaign. The cornerback was a little raw coming out of Notre Dame despite his obvious athletic traits, which was reflected in some significant struggles when he saw the field for the Carolina Panthers in 2021.

Pride Jr. came into the league at a bad time and the Panthers needed him more than they thought thanks to Donte Jackson’s injury and the Eli Apple experiment failing miserably. Just how much this has knocked his confidence remains to be seen, but it might be a little too soon to give up on the player just yet.

This is an immensely important offseason for Pride Jr., who needs to show a tremendous amount of growth to remain in Carolina’s plans. The Panthers will be without free-agent signing A.J. Bouye for the first two games due to suspension, so if the speedster can do enough to win the No. 3 spot in his absence then it could lead to a solid amount of reps during the season.

Only time will tell as to whether Pride Jr. is capable of this.

The fourth-round pick certainly needs to do a lot more against receivers who are ruthless when they go up against corners with little experience at the next level, which the player found out to his cost in 2020.

A big adjustment from the first year to the second is absolutely key for any NFL cornerback. So the Panthers will get a better indication of what they can expect from Pride Jr. long-term this summer.

 

5. Shi Smith – Carolina Panthers WR

It wasn’t a big need going into the 2021 NFL Draft. But that did not stop the Carolina Panthers from acquiring two promising wide receivers who could become integral parts of the offense sooner rather than later.

Terrace Marshall Jr. was an opportunity the Panthers couldn’t pass up at No. 59 overall, especially when they found out the New Orleans Saints were about to take him with the very next selection. They later utilized a sixth-rounder on another enticing player who comes from a little closer to home.

Shi Smith turned on the style during his time with South Carolina in college. He does his best work out of the slot and is a big play waiting to happen should the opportunity arise. So it wouldn’t be a great shock to see him stamp his authority on the Panthers and force his way into their plans immediately.

Smith can line up on the outside, in the slot, or as a running back. This versatility is highly sought after by the Panthers and his ability to gain considerable yardage in the return game is another potential way Carolina could use him in 2021.

 

https://catcrave.com/2021/05/21/5-young-carolina-panthers-players-beat-veterans-camp/6/

[CarolinaLivin]

13 minutes ago, stbugs said:

You think Pride and Smith have a chance to start? That would be shocking in my book, assuming no injuries. I don’t see Smith getting a lot of time at all this year with Moore, Anderson, Moore and Marshall ahead of him. He should make the roster but I don’t see much chance for any other than STs and some plays here and there. Pride is more of the same. I don’t see him above Horn, Donte and Bouye and I’m not even sure where he stands with the other backups. 

I think with Bouye suspended 2 games, that gives pride a chance to not only show in camp that he (does or doesn't) deserve more playing time, but also in a cupcake week 1 matchup and some could say the same for week 2. Some good confidence building games. 

As for Smith I think depends on how much they want to "take it slow" with terrace. Also Smith could take a few carries (jet sweeps maybe) to take a little bit of the load off of CMC, but he'll mainly be a slot guy. 

Edit: Im not saying Pride will be a CB1 or CB2, but he could become the next man up after that. 

Edited May 21, 2021 by CarolinaLivin

[BlitzMonster]

I'm curious about Pride.  A great athlete that I'd love to see make a big jump from year 1 to year2.  

Biggest problem for him is that the team's #1 draft pick was a stud player at his position.  So Pride is less likely to get extra playing time (outside of injuries). 

[chbright]

12 minutes ago, stbugs said:

You think Pride and Smith have a chance to start? That would be shocking in my book, assuming no injuries. I don’t see Smith getting a lot of time at all this year with Moore, Anderson, Moore and Marshall ahead of him. He should make the roster but I don’t see much chance for any other than STs and some plays here and there. Pride is more of the same. I don’t see him above Horn, Donte and Bouye and I’m not even sure where he stands with the other backups. 

Agree that the door is open for Smith as a returner/ST starter with Pharoh Cooper gone. He should focus on PR/KR, coverage teams day one kinda like the last Smith did to start his career here. Honestly, Smith is likely a 2022 guy once they decide on what to do with Anderson and DJ. Also think David Moore vs Smith should be a toss up as #4 WR. David Moore is a know commodity with Fitterer and the NFL, so they have a solid guy if none of the rookies work out.

 

Pride is maybe the dime guy at this juncture and that's a big stretch. Agree he's got a lot of competition from 2 rookies, Jackson, and the 2 FA brought in. Agree he would be a total shock to start right now. Even with Bouye missing the 1st 2 games, he's going to struggle to get past the dime spot to open the season. He has to clear 1 of Melvin, Jackson, or Horn in weeks 1-2, and then also Bouye after that to get into the top 3. I hope he gets to redshirt in essence in 2021 (he needed it last year) and grabs the #3 spot next year.

[CarolinaLivin]

I definitely forgot to mention Smith as a returner 

[Michael G]

I think Shi Smith could be the Premier KR/PR so that's starting on special teams. Pride may see reps at Nickel Corner early while Bouye is suspended but after that, unless he really shows out, Im not sure he'll see as many snaps as he did last year. The secondary is a lot deeper this year.

Edited May 21, 2021 by Michael G

[pantherclaw]

Pride is easy to root for. He plays hard, and always leaves it out on the field. 

Would be a huge boon for our oline if Brown can beat out Miller for RG. I'd rather see Miller start until Brown is ready to step in. No reason to rush. The RG is going to be fun to watch the tight competition for the starting and backup spots. 

[jayflip]

1 hour ago, Michael G said:

I think Shi Smith could be the Premier KR/PR so that's starting on special teams. Pride may see reps at Nickel Corner early while Bouye is suspended but after that, unless he really shows out, Im not sure he'll see as many snaps as he did last year. The secondary is a lot deeper this year.

I hope so, but KR and PR are two very different beasts (especially with touchbacks becoming more and more prevalent) and his PR experience leaves a lot to be desired...

 

[DaveThePanther2008]

I think of the 5 mentioned Brown and Franklin have the best opportunity to start. 

Nixon hopefully will fit into the DT rotation.   It's great that we have 4 or 5 DTs that can rotate.

Here's a thought to ponder.  With Pride's size could he be given some reps as a Free Safety during the upcoming OTA's and minicamp?  Seems we are so thin at FS it would be sad to have a talented player sitting behind Horn, Jackson and Bouye. 

Smith IMO will get some reps as during the season.  I know he is behind probably our best position on the team but his talent is too good to be letting him sit on the bench.   

[MHS831]

2 hours ago, BlitzMonster said:

I'm curious about Pride.  A great athlete that I'd love to see make a big jump from year 1 to year2.  

Biggest problem for him is that the team's #1 draft pick was a stud player at his position.  So Pride is less likely to get extra playing time (outside of injuries). 

The book on Pride is that he is a good athlete who must keep the game in front of him--explains the cushion for a man with his skill set.  I think he is a free safety, and I would not be surprised to see him given a look there. 

[OldhamA]

5 hours ago, jayflip said:

I hope so, but KR and PR are two very different beasts (especially with touchbacks becoming more and more prevalent) and his PR experience leaves a lot to be desired...

 

I was going to say, nobody has mentioned Smith as a YAC guy, which leads me to believe he's not a return candidate.

[Pejorative Miscreant]

I’m not overly concerned with “ starting” would love their production to allow the coaches to view them as having the ability to start.  Would be a great thing to see all of them with many steady minutes in a rotation.  

[Scott12345]

11 hours ago, CarolinaLivin said:

1. Deonte Brown – Carolina Panthers OG

There aren’t many players on the Carolina Panthers that come with more intrigue than Deonte Brown this offseason. The sixth-round pick has all the makings of a productive starter on the offensive line interior in the coming years, but there are certain areas that need to be monitored closely where the former Alabama star is concerned.

Brown fell in the draft due to some character concerns and the fact his weight is a potential problem most teams just didn’t want to deal with. He is an absolute mountain of a man with the college production to match. So providing staff keeps him on the right track with nutrition and regular weigh-ins it should enable momentum to continue trending in the right direction.

If the player’s transition to the professional ranks is a smooth one, he might just be a candidate to start Day 1 against the New York Jets. Carolina isn’t blessed with many solid options in this area of the field and it represents an opportunity for Brown to come in and make his presence felt right from the start.

The Panthers obviously thought he was worth taking a chance on after spending the week with Brown at the 2021 Senior Bowl. There’s no doubt Matt Rhule also sounded out Nick Saban for a more detailed perspective on the lineman, who represents a significant upgrade on anything Carolina has at its disposal if he reaches his ceiling.

 

2. Sam Franklin – Carolina Panthers S

One of the most surprising elements that emerged from the 2020 season was the encouraging impact made by Sam Franklin. The safety went undrafted before being signed up by his former college coach Matt Rhule and this familiarity enabled the player to hit the ground running and steadily force his way into the team’s plans.

Franklin gave a very good account of himself in the four starts he made as a rookie, leaving plenty of reasons to be encouraged moving forward. The Carolina Panthers are set to move Jeremy Chinn to the backend after a starring campaign at outside linebacker, but whether Juston Burris can prove worthy of being a long-term partner for the Southern Illinois product remains to be seen.

Much will depend on how Franklin develops his game this offseason.

It was a pretty steep learning curve for every rookie player in 2020 due to virtual OTAs, a restricted training camp, and no preseason games to fully adjust. But it didn’t take a genius to figure out that the Panthers think an awful lot of the player and will give him every chance of securing a more substantial role next time around.

Franklin has all the athleticism needed to forge a successful career at the next level. Last season’s experience will have done him the world of good, but what comes next will be equally as important.

 

3. Daviyon Nixon – Carolina Panthers DT

Another who slid in the 2021 NFL Draft due to major character concerns was Daviyon Nixon. The defensive tackle’s production was unquestioned during his time at Iowa but reports suggested his off-the-field issues were so concerning that some teams wiped him off their big board entirely.

The Carolina Panthers have shown a willingness to give players like this a chance. This has come with mixed success so far, but if Nixon is humbled by his concerning draft slide and reacts in a positive fashion, then defensive coordinator Phil Snow has a real player on his hands.

Nixon is an absolute menace on the interior that has the potential to cause havoc on any given down. His relentless motor is matched by a pass-rushing technique that allows him to get to the spot extremely quickly for a player his size and although there is some refinement needed against the run, there is plenty to work with from a coaching standpoint.

The Panthers brought in DaQuan Jones and Morgan Fox in free agency, so there isn’t any immediate pressure on Nixon to make an instant contribution. However, if he can display the right attitude, progress well during team drills, and make his time on the field during preseason games count, then he might just earn a prominent spot on the rotation during his rookie campaign.

 

4. Troy Pride Jr. – Carolina Panthers CB

It was always going to be difficult for Troy Pride Jr. during his rookie campaign. The cornerback was a little raw coming out of Notre Dame despite his obvious athletic traits, which was reflected in some significant struggles when he saw the field for the Carolina Panthers in 2021.

Pride Jr. came into the league at a bad time and the Panthers needed him more than they thought thanks to Donte Jackson’s injury and the Eli Apple experiment failing miserably. Just how much this has knocked his confidence remains to be seen, but it might be a little too soon to give up on the player just yet.

This is an immensely important offseason for Pride Jr., who needs to show a tremendous amount of growth to remain in Carolina’s plans. The Panthers will be without free-agent signing A.J. Bouye for the first two games due to suspension, so if the speedster can do enough to win the No. 3 spot in his absence then it could lead to a solid amount of reps during the season.

Only time will tell as to whether Pride Jr. is capable of this.

The fourth-round pick certainly needs to do a lot more against receivers who are ruthless when they go up against corners with little experience at the next level, which the player found out to his cost in 2020.

A big adjustment from the first year to the second is absolutely key for any NFL cornerback. So the Panthers will get a better indication of what they can expect from Pride Jr. long-term this summer.

 

5. Shi Smith – Carolina Panthers WR

It wasn’t a big need going into the 2021 NFL Draft. But that did not stop the Carolina Panthers from acquiring two promising wide receivers who could become integral parts of the offense sooner rather than later.

Terrace Marshall Jr. was an opportunity the Panthers couldn’t pass up at No. 59 overall, especially when they found out the New Orleans Saints were about to take him with the very next selection. They later utilized a sixth-rounder on another enticing player who comes from a little closer to home.

Shi Smith turned on the style during his time with South Carolina in college. He does his best work out of the slot and is a big play waiting to happen should the opportunity arise. So it wouldn’t be a great shock to see him stamp his authority on the Panthers and force his way into their plans immediately.

Smith can line up on the outside, in the slot, or as a running back. This versatility is highly sought after by the Panthers and his ability to gain considerable yardage in the return game is another potential way Carolina could use him in 2021.

 

https://catcrave.com/2021/05/21/5-young-carolina-panthers-players-beat-veterans-camp/6/

No way on pride...he is going to struggle to make the team

smith was good at USC...he will make the team...hope he can return punts...or at least fair catch them

[jfra78]

I could see all three rookie OL starting at some point in the season