The Panthers open the season against the division rival New Orleans Saints, and we’re getting our first look at Ejiro Evero’s defense.
Its football week! We get week one, where optimism is in the air and every team is 0-0! The Carolina Panthers open their season against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, and while the major talking point of the off-season has been Dave Canales, Bryce Young, and this new look offense, the Panthers defense is very much a question mark as well. Let’s dive in.
Will the edge rushers please stand up?
The Panthers edge group is arguably one of the weakest in the NFL, but definitely one of the weaker positions on this defense. Beyond Jadeveon Clowney, the Panthers head into week one with no real proven talent at edge. With DJ Wonnum and Amare Barno on the PUP list, and K’Lavon Chaisson getting the boot this week, currently the player opposite Clowney is going to be some tandem of DJ Johnson, Eku Leota, and Jamie Sheriff. For a Saints offensive line that might struggle a bit this season, they have a great start to the season against this Panthers unit. I am very curious what Evero has in his bag of tricks to nullify this weakness.
What does this defensiveback group look like?
The Panthers made a ton of moves toward the end of the preseason to revamp their CB group, bringing in 4 corners on the active roster and an additional corner on the practice squad. The common theme was size here. Jaycee Horn should see a heavy dose of Chris Olave on Sunday, but after that I don’t even know what this group is going to look like. Saints WR Rashid Shaheed could be seeing some plus matchups.
Did the Panthers do enough to help out Derrick Brown?
The Panthers interior Defensive Line looks like it could be good on paper, however that heavily relies on AShawn Robinson paying off as a free agent signing and Shy Tuttle taking a much needed step forward compared to last season. This Panthers defensive philosophy seems to be heavily favored toward stopping the run, and it starts with this unit. If the Saints are allowed to run all over the Panthers with Alvin Kamara and Jamaal Williams, it could be a very long day for this new look Panthers team.
What are you watching on defense for the Panthers first game? Sound off below in the comments!