These Carolina Panthers players have made a strong start to camp.
Dave Canales is still navigating the early stage of training camp. As for the players? They only get one chance to make a good first impression.
The Carolina Panthers are looking to gain back respect around the league in 2024 after a catastrophic campaign last time around. This all starts by displaying the right commitment to improvement and moving together as a unit in pursuit of one common goal.
Carolina’s gone through two practices so far. It’s been a mixed bag in all honesty, but it often takes players a few sessions to get back into the swing of things following their summer break. However, there have been plenty of pleasing elements to take away so far.
Canales knows how huge the task awaiting him is. He’s sometimes seems too eager to get his message across in front of the media, but he’s got the progressive thinking and modern-day concepts to get this franchise trending up after years of languishing among the NFL’s bottom feeders.
It’ll take time, but the early signs are positive. With this in mind, here are five Panthers players who are already turning heads at training camp in 2024.
Carolina Panthers already turning heads at 2024 training camp
Dicaprio Bootle – Carolina Panthers CB
There are openings available for those who impress in the coming weeks. The Carolina Panthers raised competition for places across the board. Under the new regime, spots on the roster will be earned rather than handed out based on previous accomplishments.
Ejiro Evero could use someone coming to the fore at cornerback upon closer examination of the options available. Jaycee Horn, Dane Jackson, and Troy Hill seem like the locked-in starting trio. It’ll take another one or two capable performers to raise confidence in this unit’s chances of making the right impact in 2024.
One player who’s catching the eye over the early stages of camp is Dicaprio Bootle. The former Nebraska standout worked exceptionally hard throughout the offseason to improve his craft. It seems to be having the desired effect if the opening two practices are any indication.
It’s a tough assessment with any player right now. Dave Canales and his staff will get a better indication of what they have when the pads go on. That said, Bootle’s done his chances of extended involvement no harm at all so far.
Eddy Pineiro – Carolina Panthers K
Eddy Pineiro had a fight on his hands heading into camp. It’s a problem he brought on himself after deciding to skip voluntary workouts. This allowed undrafted free agent Harrison Mevis to shine in his absence – something he managed to accomplish impressively.
The Carolina Panthers have a genuine kicking competition on their hands. Mevis gained enough momentum to make things extremely difficult for Pineiro. Looking at the early exchanges between the two over camp, the veteran seems more than ready for the challenge.
Pineiro got the first chance to shine on Day 1. He took full advantage, going 5-for-5 on his field goal attempts, including one from more than 50 yards. This was the perfect response and a telling early blow.
Good start to camp for Eddy Pineiro. Goes 5-5 on field goals with a long of 52.
Harrison Mevis did not kick. He will probably be on tomorrow.
— Joe Person (@josephperson) July 24, 2024
The former Missouri star displayed his leg strength on Day 2, going 4-for-5. Mevis didn’t benefit from the best weather conditions, but NFL kickers need to produce in all kinds of climates when push comes to shove.
Dave Canales said he’s going to drag this kicking competition out before making a decision. There should be plenty of twists and turns to come, but it’s a slight advantage to Pineiro so far.
Nick Scott – Carolina Panthers S
Xavier Woods and Jordan Fuller seem cemented as the team’s starting safety tandem. Things look open aside from that on the depth chart. Nick Scott seems like the frontrunner to secure the primary backup spot, which was evidenced over the opening two days of training camp.
Fuller missed Day 2 due to a family matter. Scott was given the chance to showcase his skills with the first unit as a result. It was something the experienced defensive back took advantage of with an outstanding display according to those in attendance.
Ian Thomas with a drop during 7v7 and on the very next play Diontae Johnson fumbles and Nick Scott recovers. Defense is winning the first 7v7 period.
— Carolina Blitz (@KeepBlitzin) July 25, 2024
Scott’s already aware of Ejiro Evero’s defensive demands from their time together on the Los Angeles Rams. The veteran is coming off a down year with the Cincinnati Bengals last time around, but a reunion with the coach seems to be doing the world of good based on early impressions.
This is a strong step in a positive direction for Scott. However, the player needs to keep this up with the likes of Alex Cook, Sam Franklin Jr., and Jammie Robinson also vying for backup roles behind Woods and Fuller.
Diontae Johnson – Carolina Panthers WR
The Carolina Panthers’ decision to trade for Diontae Johnson already looks like a masterstroke. Dan Morgan struck with conviction to land the wide receiver for nothing more than cornerback Donte Jackson and a late-round pick swap. This looks like a tremendous piece of business – one that can assist quarterback Bryce Young greatly in Year 2 of his professional career.
Johnson’s connection with Young has been encouraging throughout the first two days of camp. It’s not perfect yet, but the signal-caller is adjusting well to having someone making much sharper movements and boasting quicker explosiveness – something he didn’t benefit from last season.
The former third-round selection is taking a more mature approach to his second opportunity. Johnson’s taken some harsh lessons on board after being cast aside by the Pittsburgh Steelers. He’s also surged to the No. 1 wideout role quickly, which is exactly the confidence boost needed to aid his progress in a different environment.
There’s something different about Johnson compared to the other wideouts at Carolina’s disposal. Hopefully, this is just the start of a profitable campaign that could potentially come with a long-term extension if the same trend continues.
K’Lavon Chaisson – Carolina Panthers OLB
The Panthers lack sufficient pass-rushing depth heading into the season. That’s no secret to anyone, but whether signing Kemoko Turay following a successful workout changes that is another matter.
D.J. Wonnum’s ongoing rehabilitation from a torn quad only heightens the need for someone else to step up. K’Lavon Chaisson’s been getting plenty of reps with the starting unit in his absence over the early stages of camp. It’s been largely encouraging for the former first-round pick, who comes into the organization with a monumental point to prove.
Chaisson is benefitting from Ejiro Evero’s schematic concepts and is generating pressure consistently according to those in attendance. This is still in shorts without shells or pads, but it’s a definite confidence boost for the player after attaining just five sacks in four seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
What comes next for Chaisson is critical. He must maintain this improved consistency when things get more intense in the coming days. He needs to make every rep count before Wonnum comes back. He needs to keep Turay from getting a foot in the door.
That’s a lot to ask, but it’s integral if Chaisson wants to secure a decent role for himself with the Panthers in 2024.
