These players could become secret weapons for the Carolina Panthers.
The Carolina Panthers need everyone who makes the 53-man roster to impose themselves in some capacity next season. Dave Canales, Dan Morgan, and Brandt Tilis laid down the groundwork by improving the squad after their disastrous 2023 efforts. Nobody is expecting a Super Bowl tilt during the first campaign under the new regime, but becoming more competitive seems attainable at the very least.
Canales’ primary objective throughout early workouts was to implement his new schematic concepts and improve the fundamentals. Restoring a sense of self-belief in every player – especially those who’ve been around under previous coaching staffs – was another important part of the equation that should help enormously.
Carolina isn’t being perceived in the best light around the league right now, and with good reason. However, the progressive first-time head coach believes his team could be a surprise most don’t see coming if the same trend continues throughout the summer.
That would be a dream come true for fans who’ve been put through incredible hardship in recent years. For Canales to achieve this feat, he must profit from these three secret weapons in 2024.
Ihmir Smith-Marsette – Carolina Panthers WR/KR
There was a lot to like about the way Ihmir Smith-Marsette applied himself when called upon last season. Opportunities were limited despite the Carolina Panthers securing his services via trade from the Kansas City Chiefs before final cuts. However, his contribution down the stretch didn’t go unnoticed by new general manager Dan Morgan.
Smith-Marsette got a one-year extension and could flourish within Dave Canales’ system. His versatility to be deployed anywhere across the line of scrimmage – even in the backfield as a rushing threat – is something the head coach can put to good use if he proves himself worthy of prominent involvement during Carolina’s upcoming training camp.
The former Iowa standout also stands to benefit greatly from the NFL’s new kickoff rules. They seem to favor the return team as the league aims to make this part of the game more exciting. Smith-Marsette’s dynamic capabilities in this area could be a massive hit throughout the 2024 season.
K’Lavon Chaisson – Carolina Panthers OLB
The Carolina Panthers have plenty of potential complications across their new-look depth chart despite some impressive signings from general manager Dan Morgan. None more so than the situation within their edge-rushing room.
Those in power opted to trade Brian Burns to the New York Giants after his relationship with the franchise became unrepairable thanks to the previous regime’s incompetence. The Panthers also lost Frankie Luvu to the Washington Commanders after he turned down their contract extension. Yetur Gross-Matos landed himself a surprising switch to the San Francisco 49ers after finally showing signs of life in 2023.
Carolina didn’t sit still. Acquiring former No. 1 overall pick Jadeveon Clowney was seen as a significant coup by the organization. D.J. Wonnum also came on board, but there’s no telling for sure how much he’ll be able to contribute after suffering a setback in his recovery from a torn quad.
Depth isn’t great aside from that. The Panthers need someone to make their presence felt and become an integral piece of the rotation. K’Lavon Chaisson might be that guy.
The edge rusher hasn’t enjoyed the best start to his professional career. Chaisson secured just five sacks in four seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars, which represents a major disappointment for someone who was taken No. 20 overall in the 2020 NFL Draft. He was swiftly moved on once his contract expired with little fanfare attached.
Chaisson is relishing the prospect of starting fresh. He seems reinvigorated and eager to prove his worth within a scheme that seems more suited to his athletic attributes. That’s no guarantee based on what we’ve seen so far, but the opportunity is there if everything goes well throughout camp and preseason games.
Any improvements Chaisson makes will be a bonus. Opposing offensive protection schemes won’t be giving the player much respect when he’s on the field. Capitalizing on this is crucial in pursuit of turning his career around.
Ja’Tavion Sanders – Carolina Panthers TE
The Carolina Panthers needed to improve their weapons around quarterback Bryce Young this offseason. His supporting cast received a boost at every position group thanks to the moves made by Dan Morgan. Couple this with head coach Dave Canales’ impressive record with signal-callers during his previous stops, it’s not hard to see why things are looking up for the No. 1 overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Finding ways to get the tight ends involved more frequently is only going to help. Canales’ scheme promises to depend heavily on the group in pursuit of making life easier for Young. The notable strides made by Tommy Tremble and Ian Thomas over early off-season workouts lend further weight to this claim.
The Panthers also picked up a new face in the form of Ja’Tavion Sanders. He was seen as a high-value selection during the draft at No. 101 overall. He might not offer much from a blocking standpoint initially, but his athleticism and explosive route-running suggest this can be utilized right out of the gate.
Sanders’ assured hands and outstanding body control represent s mismatch for most slot cornerbacks and linebackers. He’s a threat to gain yards after the catch and can also make his presence felt in red-zone situations for good measure. The Panthers didn’t draft him to sit on the sidelines. They want him to evolve into a long-term threat – someone capable of being Young’s security blanket in key situations.
There are countless examples around the NFL of tight ends thriving immediately. Expecting Sanders to have a campaign similar to Sam LaPorta with the Detroit Lions in 2023 is stretching things. At the same time, there’s an opportunity to unseat Tremble and Thomas in his quest to become the top dog.
That’s a best-case scenario for the Panthers. Sanders should be highly motivated to prove people wrong after slipping out of the first three rounds. There’s a lot of hard work ahead, but his physical profile suggests Carolina might boast a special talent on their hands.
