Carolina Panthers  (4) $799 Million Star Players Draft Picks In The NFL This Season…

The Carolina Panthers haven’t enjoyed much draft success in recent years. A few have exceeded expectations, but it’s been largely underwhelming for one reason or another. Those who laid such rocky foundations are no longer around, so hopes are high this can result in a more prosperous future with a clear plan for progress.

There is growing optimism that the Panthers will show signs of life next season. Dave Canales worked hard to increase morale in the building over early off-season workouts. The new head coach’s methods went down well with his players. It was a small step, but a positive one nonetheless.

Intensity and tempo will ramp up considerably at Carolina’s upcoming training camp in Charlotte. The roster improvements coupled with new schematic concepts increase urgency across the board. Everyone is getting a fresh chance to prove themselves. But the need to hit the ground running cannot be overstated.

Previous statuses have been ripped up as a new era dawns. Anyone not displaying the correct growth or effort won’t last long regardless of their status. With this in mind, here are four Panthers draft picks who could be cut after camp in 2024.

Terrace Marshall Jr. – Carolina Panthers WR

Let’s get this one out of the way early.

The Carolina Panthers got almost nothing from Terrace Marshall Jr. over his first three seasons. Big things were expected of the former second-round selection following a standout college career at LSU. Offseason flashes have been prevalent. This hasn’t resulted in much consistent production within a competitive setting.

Marshall’s frustrations reached a boiling point last season. He handed in a trade request and was permitted to seek alternative employment. No offers worth consideration arrived, but the new regime is giving him one final chance to prove his worth this offseason.

e Panthers increased their wide receiver options in the event Marshall cannot reach higher expectations. Diontae Johnson and Xavier Legette immediately go above him on the depth chart. Ihmir Smith-Marsette re-signed and boasts intriguing versatility within Dave Canales’ system. David Moore will also fancy his chances of making the roster thanks to his previous connection with Carolina’s head coach.

This doesn’t bode well for Marshall’s chances. Dan Morgan won’t hesitate to go in a different direction if improvements don’t arrive.

Chandler Zavala – Carolina Panthers OL

Making improvements to the offensive line quickly became the Carolina Panthers’ biggest offseason priority when the free-agent frenzy commenced. Many wondered if the organization would be able to land prominent veteran targets given their precarious financial situation. The presence of Brandt Tilis enabled the front office to handle their money with much more efficiency than previous regimes.

Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis were the marquee additions. The Panthers spent substantial sums to get both into the franchise. This has the makings of a productive offensive guard tandem capable of assisting quarterback Bryce Young on his road to redemption.

Austin Corbett is moving to the center position and Brady Christensen becomes a versatile depth piece as a result. Dan Morgan also secured the services of Yosh Nijman, who’ll assume the swing tackle role and looks more than capable of stepping in if injury strikes.

The rest come with significant questions attached. How they perform during Carolina’s training camp will go a long way to determining their fate. Chandler Zavala is under more pressure than most following a horrific rookie campaign in 2023.

Zavala came into the Panthers as a fourth-round selection with potential long-term upside. The lack of offensive line depth meant he was thrust into the starting lineup way ahead of time. This gamble blew up in Frank Reich’s face.

The North Carolina State product looked overwhelmed and outmatched. Going to injured reserve was a blessing in disguise for Zavala, who conceded three penalties and gave up six sacks from just 374 offensive snaps. His 26.2 grade from Pro Football Focus was a league-worst for interior linemen.

This is a crossroads campaign for Zavala in no uncertain terms. He needs to build up confidence gradually and eradicate some technical flaws from his game. If the Panthers’ coaching staff gives him a little extra freedom to develop at a comfortable pace, all hope is not lost.

If Zavala continues to struggle and other offensive line roster hopefuls outperform the second-year pro, Morgan might cut his losses when the time for final decisions arrives.

Jammie Robinson – Carolina Panthers S

Jeremy Chinn departed the Carolina Panthers in free agency as expected. Perhaps more surprising was the team’s decision to release veteran Vonn Bell after one season. How much he’ll be missed is dependent on whether Jordan Fuller’s reunion with defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero goes off without a hitch.

The Panthers got more consistent production from Xavier Woods last season. He’ll be an integral part of Evero’s plans this time around in a contract year. Free-agent signing Nick Scott has familiarity with the scheme and Sam Franklin Jr. re-signed to bolster depth and assist on special teams.

Aside from the starting tandem being locked up, opportunities knock for those looking for roster spots or perhaps looking to emerge into primary backup pieces. Franklin and Scott seem to be in pole position currently, but everyone is getting a fair chance to enhance their respective statuses before plans become finalized.

The glaring spotlight is shining greater on Jammie Robinson this time around. It’s hard to gauge what the Panthers have in the 2023 fifth-round selection currently. He was on the field for just seven percent of defensive snaps as a rookie. Carolina used him a lot on special teams, where his usage increased to 70% from 15 games – two of which he started.

Robinson needs to impose himself during the summer and when reps come his way in the preseason. He’s got the fighting qualities Dan Morgan is looking for. Whether the quality matches his supreme effort is another matter.

It was too small of a sample size to tell for sure last season. Robinson’s experience on special teams gives him a fighting chance of making the roster once again. It’s also worth remembering that Evero preferred undrafted free agent Alex Cook with starting involvement. He gained 25 percent of snaps.

There’s a lot on the line for Robinson. Cutting him after just one season would be a surprise, but Morgan won’t hesitate if he feels like it’s the best thing to take the team forward.

Amare Barno – Carolina Panthers OLB

The Carolina Panthers could have a problem on their hands at edge rusher in 2024. Trading Brian Burns seemed like a foregone conclusion after the previous decision-makers mismanaged his contract situation. Frankie Luvu’s departure to the Washington Commanders was another crippling loss for defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero.

Jadeveon Clowney was the high-profile arrival who could assist, especially against the run. The Panthers also signed D.J. Wonnum following his productive spell with the Minnesota Vikings. His aspirations are less clear until we see how well he recovers from a torn quad.

It’s relatively bare after that. K’Lavon Chaisson was another new acquisition with severe concerns about his previous productivity. The jury is also out on D.J. Johnson, who endured some rookie hardship after the Panthers traded up to secure his services at No. 80 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Amare Barno is also still on the books entering Year 3 of his professional career. It’s been an almost anonymous contribution on the defensive rotation up to now, but the former sixth-round selection carved out a decent niche for himself on special teams that can serve him well in pursuit of another chance to shine in 2024.

Barno played 20 percent of Carolina’s defensive snaps last season but failed to attain a single sack. That represents a step back after flashing some promise as a rookie, but the lack of legitimate depth gives him a strong chance to make more of an impact next time around.

The need for Barno to catch the eye during Carolina’s training camp is there for all to see. The Virginia Tech product needs to outperform others vying for depth chart standing. He also needs to continue his impressive growth on special teams for good measure.

All signs point to Barno making the roster currently. If others improve or the Panthers add to their edge-rushing room before Week 1, all bets are off.

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Former teammate rips Tom Brady for certain Patrick Mahomes comparison

Living legend Tom Brady generated headlines during a recent appearance on “The Pivot Podcast” when he suggested that Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has more “fun” during games than Brady enjoyed throughout certain stages of his career.

WEEI personality Christian Fauria earned two Super Bowl rings playing alongside Brady with the New England Patriots and responded to TB12’s comments during an on-air segment this week.

Brady picked up a reputation during his stints with the Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers for being one of the most competitive players in NFL history.

Back in early 2023, former Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski recalled how “it felt like we still lost a game” following a win while working with Brady and playing under head coach Bill Belichick. Before his retirement, Brady became well-known for saying his favorite Super Bowl ring was “the next one.”

Such a mentality helped Brady remain focused on the task at hand during games.

Brady retired “for good” in February 2023 as a seven-time Super Bowl champion and five-time Super Bowl Most Valuable Player. Mahomes, meanwhile, has three titles and three Super Bowl MVP Awards on his career resume.

The Kansas City star turns just 29 years old this coming September and, theoretically, should have plenty of time to match or even better Brady’s overall accomplishments.

Whether or not Mahomes will follow in Brady’s footsteps and become a more intense figure as he continues to build his legacy into his 30s shall be seen.