The Carolina Panthers lost more experience than any NFL team this offseason by a wide margin. They’ll be returning just 46.9% of their snaps played from last season. This means Matt Rhule may have to rely on his team’s 2020 rookie class more than any other coach.
Let’s take a look at which players are most likely to make an impact in their first year in the league. Here are the 12 most important rookies on the team this year, beginning with four undrafted free agents who have the best chance to make the team.
12. RB Rodney Smith
While having no preseason games to prove himself certainly didn’t help, Smith has a couple of things working in his favor. First, the Panthers need to give Christian McCaffrey fewer touches this year in order to protect their $64 million investment, which means more playing time for every other running back. Second, Mike Davis is a good candidate to be cut in the next two weeks, as that would save the team $3 million in cap space. If Smith can impress at training camp, he should secure the fourth RB spot on the roster behind McCaffrey, Reggie Bonnafon and Jordan Scarlett.