We get our first taste of Carolina Panthers football in their Preseason tilt against the Patriots this Thursday.
Welcome to the kickoff of the Preseason, Panthers fans? It’s been a long off-season, but we finally will get a taste of real football this week. Granted, its the watered down, melted vanilla ice cream version, but it is football! In an off-season with a decent amount of turnover for the defensive roster, the Panthers brought in several new faces to start, and elevated others. Let’s examine some key storylines to watch this week.
Young Linebackers get a chance to shine!
While at this point, I would expect most of the veteran established starters on defense to miss most if not all of the game, there are some guys with a potential future in Carolina that can add some good game film and help ease fans concerns. I would imagine starting EDGE Jadeveon Clowney and both of the starting interior LBs in Josey Jewell and Shaq Thompson to play very little, but that opens the door for two 3rd round picks to see some playing time. 2023 3rd rounder DJ Johnson was named as the starter opposite Clowney in the unofficial first depth chart this week, however I expect him to get a decent amount of snaps. He didn’t get a ton of usage in his rookie season and is by no means firmly planted in that starting role (yet). The second guy, ILB Trevin Wallace, was drafted in the 3rd this past off-season, and likely will get a ton of snaps with what I’d call the “first-ish” team defense. Those are both names I would watch, even if they only get play in the first quarter.
Cornerback depth
The Panthers enter the 2024 season with a ton of question marks, especially at cornerback. While Jaycee Horn is slated in as the top CB, the rest of the squad isn’t necessarily settled. Sure, free agent acquisition Dane Jackson and returning contributor Troy Hill have the remaining top 2 spots on paper, there’s a lot of feisty young talent behind them. DiCaprio Bootle and D’Shawn Jamison both made plays as former UDFA’s in Carolina’s beat up secondary last season, while newer faces like Chau Smith-Wade have a chance to shine. Of all positions on this team, the CB position has the most upside for the depth players to potentially lock in an impact role with the starters come week one. Keep an eye out for who is making plays here all Preseason.
Interior Defensive Line still very much a question
While Carolina addressed the need for more bodies around Derrick Brown in the off-season somewhat, there’s only 3 real guys I would call a lock to make the roster as interior Defensive linemen. There’s a few holdovers from last season, a draft pick in Jaden Crumedy, and other young new faces acquired in free agency or on waivers. This position will really be evaluated heavily by the coaches as they navigate roster trims across the league to pack in as much depth as possible.
Who are you excited to see this Preseason on defense? Comment down below with who, and why! Enjoy the game as best you can, Panthers fans!