Where have the Panthers improved most to surprise teams this year? Let’s start here ...
Panthers general manager Scott Fitterer and head coach Matt Rhule spent their offseason overhauling the roster.
While core pieces Christian McCaffrey, D.J. Moore, Taylor Moton, Brian Burns, Shaq Thompson, Donte Jackson and Jeremy Chinn remain, Carolina could have as many as 11 new starters come Week 1.
There are new faces across the offensive line, on defense and special teams. Most of the Panthers’ new roster spent the past nine weeks practicing and meeting at Bank of America Stadium as Carolina held OTAs, which concluded last week with a three-day minicamp.
As Panthers players, coaches and executives break for five weeks until training camp kicks off at Wofford College in late July, we’ll all focus on the looming position battles that come with each pre-season cycle.
But some newcomers already have secured starting spots. While offensive and defensive moves dominate public discussion, Carolina quietly upgraded its special teams. The team signed all-decade punter Johnny Hekker and Pro Bowl returner Andre Roberts.
Like adding a starting guard, safety or linebacker, the Panthers signing key special teams contributors adds to the margins of their roster.
Let’s examine where Carolina improved the most this offseason, starting with special teams.
Panthers have a New punter, returner and coach
Rhule hired several new position coaches and coordinators this offseason to reshape his staff. Landing new talent is vital but parlaying fresh bodies with experienced minds is how units go from serviceable to difference-making.
Last season Carolina ranked 28th in overall special teams performance, according to Rick Gosselin’s annual special teams report, which ranks all 32 teams in 22 special team categories and composites an overall ranking. The Panthers finished in the bottom fourth for field goal attempts, punting average and average punt return yards.
In late January, Rhule hired Chris Tabor as special teams coordinator to revamp the kicking and return game. Tabor brings 14 years of NFL special teams coaching experience to the Panthers. He spent the past four years with the Bears, where he had a returner make the Pro Bowl each of the past four seasons.
The Bears ranked ninth in Gosselin’s annual special-teams rankings. Tabor carries league-wide approval amongst his peers. One AFC scout told The Observer that Tabor is “one of the best special team coaches in the league.”
“The Panthers could be one of the better special teams units this year,” an AFC scout told The Observer. “Tabor was beloved in Cleveland. He finds ways to attack opposing units each week while ensuring his own protections and coverages are always sound. Plus, (Carolina) brought in some guys I like. (Hekker) can still play and they brought Zane (Gonzalez) back to kick.”
This past year, the Bears ranked seventh in made field-goal percentage. In 2020, Chicago kicker Cairo Santos made 27 consecutive kicks, setting franchise records in both consecutive single-season makes and overall consecutive makes spanning multiple seasons.
Steady placekicker Zane Gonzalez re-signed with Carolina, giving the team stability at kicker and punter. Combine that with Roberts’ explosive return abilities and the team should be able to swing a few games via special teams.
“There are only so many coordinators and position coaches who tip the scale in this league. Guys who have been around long enough that provide game-day advantages because of how long they’ve been doing it,” a former league executive told The Observer. “They’ve seen almost everything and are great teachers, too. Matt (Rhule) brought in (James) Campen and (Steve) Wilks and (Chris) Tabor to coach important roles. They will be much better at all three of those spots.”
Panthers Reshaped their offensive line
Assuming everyone stays healthy early in camp, the Panthers have options across their offensive line. Rookie Ikem Ekwonu and second-year tackle/guard Brady Christensen should hold down the left side. There will be a competition at center between Pat Elflein and Bradly Bozeman. Austin Corbett will start at right guard and Taylor Moton at right tackle.
That’s four new starters for Carolina up front. Fitterer entered this offseason determined to remake the offensive line and he did.
The Panthers were one of the league’s worst blocking teams last year. Carolina allowed 52 sacks, fourth-most in the NFL, and finished 30th in total offense.
Regardless of what happens at quarterback, the team needed to provide at least league-average protection for Sam Darnold or whoever else may start. Evaluators around the league believe Carolina has accomplished that.
“They kind of took a page out of the Browns’ offseason from a few years ago and changed everything while building upon the one or two pieces they already had,” an AFC scout told The Observer. “I’m impressed with the special team improvements but what they did in the trenches also deserves some credit. Those guys are going to move (defenders) backward.”
By improving its starting linemen, the Panthers also added to their depth. Role players such as Cam Erving and Dennis Daley won’t be asked to play starter snaps and instead can fill in when needed. The team also remains high on Michael Jordan, Deonte Brown and rookie Cade Mays.
Panthers have a deep secondary
Despite losing veteran cornerback Stephon Gilmore in free agency, Carolina should still have one of the NFC’s deepest collections of talented cornerbacks and safeties.
Jaycee Horn is back after breaking his foot in Week 3. The second-year cornerback and 2021 No. 8 selection was a full participant during OTAs until Rhule held out about 12 key starters during minicamp.
“Horn could be the next great corner,” a former league executive told The Observer. “He’s physical, quick, sharp and has great instincts. That defense could get expensive in a few years. They have to pay (Burns) and their young safety (Chinn) but I’d bet there is already a plan in place for that.”
Chinn will work exclusively at safety this year, though defensive coordinator Phil Snow’s system provides layered opportunities for him to play near the line of scrimmage and in the box at times.
Chinn is expected to start next to Xavier Woods, who the team signed to a three-year deal worth $15.75 million this offseason. Woods, 26, played last season with the Vikings where he had a career-high 108 tackles. He also had 10 pass breakups and three interceptions and played every defensive snap for Minnesota.
Woods missed OTAs and minicamp with an excused absence. How quickly he picks up the playbook in training camp will be something to watch. If Woods isn’t the starting free safety then Juston Burris, Kenny Robinson and Sean Chandler will have opportunities to play next to Chinn.
Retaining Jackson gives Carolina a versatile defender and leader in the cornerback room. He’ll continue mentoring Horn, C.J. Henderson, Keith Taylor Jr., Chris Westry and rookie speedster Kalon Barnes.
“I keep saying this,” an AFC scout told The Observer, “The Panthers have a better roster than people think.”
This story was originally published June 22, 2022 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Where have the Panthers improved most to surprise teams this year? Let’s start here ...."
