These overlooked Carolina Panthers players are making strong statements at the team’s training camp.
One-week wonders make headlines after a few highlight plays at practice go viral. Underperformers from 2023 wish to silence their critics. Players wear pads for the first time with a new team and want to make their mark.
This is a short list of the archetypes you can find at training camp. This time of year nobody is safe. With each day comes a battle- an opportunity to earn the trust of your coach. Buzzworthy or not, the actions of the offseason yield the victories to come.
With this in mind, here are three under-the-radar Carolina Panthers players who are staking strong claims at training camp.
Under-the-radar Carolina Panthers players staking a strong claim at training camp
Nick Scott – Carolina Panthers S
The Carolina Panthers were unable to cope with injuries at the safety spot in 2023. The talent gap was significant and it became a priority for general manager Dan Morgan to add several high-flyers.
History has since repeated itself. Sam Franklin Jr. is out for the foreseeable future with a foot injury. Dave Canales, who deems the former Temple star irreplaceable, was quick to add Nick Scott to the list of Panthers’ safeties who are up to the challenge.
Scott flew onto the scene in 2022. The former seventh-round pick struggled to earn snaps for the first three years of his career but surprised everyone when he made many key plays that resulted in a Los Angeles Rams victory in the Super Bowl.
In the NFL, adversity can be quick to strike. If performance is not up to par, then replacements quickly emerge. After signing with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2023, the high-climbing Scott was sidelined for rookie Jordan Battle – who defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo deemed the superior tackler.
Reuniting with Ejiro Evero seems to be having the desired effect so far. The Panthers will be hoping this is a trend that continues over their remaining camp practices and preseason games heading into Week 1 at the New Orleans Saints.
Miles Sanders – Carolina Panthers RB
When emotions run high, Miles Sanders runs hard. After hearing the uproar that followed a disappointing first year with the Carolina Panthers, the running back looks rejuvenated to start training camp. Quarterback Bryce Young chimed in to say the veteran has looked intense throughout practices on his road to potential redemption.
Panthers QB Bryce Young says running back Miles Sanders is ‘‘super intense’’ and has a game type mentality right now. pic.twitter.com/WR1dWAoTgP
— David Newton (@DNewtonespn) July 30, 2024
The 27-year-old is running with a purpose. When the Panthers spent the No. 46 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft on Jonathon Brooks, his future with the team became muddled.
The explosive Brooks ran all over the SEC last season, accumulating 1,139 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground. His playstyle will allow him to assimilate nearly immediately into Dave Canales’ offense, which early indications say will emphasize the run.
Only injury will halt the Brooks train. As the rookie continues to nurse an ACL tear, Sanders and Chuba Hubbard will be the featured backs.
Sanders has a tiny window of opportunity to prove his worth. Despite being on a $25 million contract with the team, the Panthers are no stranger to benching or cutting ties with players who do not meet expectations. The stakes are high, but if the former Penn State star can prove his performance last year was aberrant, he will be on the right track.
As it stands, Sanders is the most proven pass-catcher the Panthers have at running back. This provides tremendous value to Canales, who relied on Rachaad White to line up in the slot and even out wide last season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Panthers are likely generations away from the next Christian McCaffrey, but Sanders could emerge as a consistent check-down option in Canales’ scheme.
The motivation to bounce back is there for all to see especially with so much money left on his deal. The jury is still out on Sanders, but he’s done a wonderful job of silencing his ongoing doubters this summer.
D.J. Johnson – Carolina Panthers OLB
After playing five seasons with head coach Mike Vrabel, it makes sense why Jadeveon Clowney values teammates who can set the edge. He considers D.J. Johnson to be one of the Carolina Panthers’ best.
Edge setters won’t put up jaw-dropping statistics. Instead, they are crucial to containment, forcing the offense into traffic and allowing defenders to flock to the ball carrier.
Carolina has been deliberate with their personnel decisions. Defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero does not want pass rushers who are limited to pinning their ears back. He wants versatility, which Johnson can provide.
There’s been questions about who will emerge at the other edge opposite Clowney. Both Jadeveon and Canales say that DJ Johnson has been impressive. Clowney calls Johnson one of the best edge setters on the team.#Panthers pic.twitter.com/LKeIryvjjA
— Sheena Quick (@Sheena_Marie3) August 2, 2024
The soon-to-be 26-year-old was a standout in college, playing both sides of the ball. He was a third-round selection in 2023 with a ton of buzz but failed to record a sack during an underwhelming rookie campaign.
The Panthers were bound to sign an edge rusher with sacks on his résumé. Enter D.J. Wonnum, who signed a team-friendly contract with Carolina this offseason, in which only $6.79 million is fully guaranteed over two years.
The commitment to Wonnum is low. The Minnesota Vikings were in no rush to re-sign him and a popular beat writer raises questions about his play.
“The reality is that Wonnum is best suited as a team’s third edge rusher, not an every-down starter. He has 23 sacks in four seasons, but many of them — especially prior to 2023 — came on plays where he was unblocked or was cleaning up a scrambling quarterback thanks to good coverage on the back end. Wonnum’s PFF grade was a career-best 62.3 this season (60 is average) after three years in the 50s, and his pass rush win rates have never been particularly impressive.”
– Will Ragatz, Fan Nation
With Wonnum sidelined with a quad injury, Johnson has capitalized on the practice reps inherited. If he continues to shine, the former Oregon standout might even displace Wonnum and crack the starting lineup.
Between injuries, inabilities, and weekly game plans, one thing is for sure – Johnson will be on the field in 2024 for better or worse.
