Category: Carolina Panthers

WATCH: Panthers CB Jaycee Horn grabs 1st career interception

Watch Carolina Panthers rookie cornerback Jaycee Horn get his first career interception

The Carolina Panthers spent the No. 8 overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft on cornerback Jaycee Horn, hoping to get a shutdown artist who could make big plays for their defense.

Horn delivered on the top-10 hype in Week 2, grabbing his first career interception in Carolina’s victory over the New Orleans Saints.

Horn’s father, Joe, was a four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver for the Saints, which likely made this memorable moment just a little more fun.

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Jeremy Chinn makes NFL history with defensive TDs on back-to-back plays

Carolina Panthers rookie Jeremy Chinn made NFL history by scoring defensive touchdowns on back-to-back plays Sunday

The Carolina Panthers may have lost a heartbreaker to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, but they still saw some NFL history made by rookie defensive back Jeremy Chinn.

A second-round pick in the 2020 NFL draft out of Southern Illinois, Chinn scored defensive touchdowns on back-to-back plays during Sunday’s game.

One of the favorites to win NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, Chinn has been making plays all over the field for the Panthers this season, showing off the same athleticism and versatility that made him a Senior Bowl standout.

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Why Panthers fans should be excited about Derrick Brown

In the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft, the Carolina Panthers landed a dominant force for their defensive line in Auburn’s Derrick Brown

The Carolina Panthers stuck to their board and selected former Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.

An offensive tackle was often mocked to the Panthers in the months leading up to the draft, but it appears that Brown’s ability to plug up the middle of a defense was too tempting to pass up for new head coach Matt Rhule and company. We believe that they made an excellent decision. We’re happy to see that Brown’s average testing at the NFL Scouting Combine didn’t push him down the board, because quite frankly, that would have been a mistake.

Brown was a complete game-wrecker throughout his time as a Tiger. He uses his powerful upper body to push offensive linemen around. His club move is his signature, and it’s very impressive. O-linemen rarely stood a chance in pass protection when tasked with trying to stop Brown from causing havoc in the backfield. It’s not just his upper body that features incredible strength. In fact, Brown’s lower body and leg drive are equally as powerful and impressive on tape. Brown also has a quick first step off the ball for a man that comes in at 326 pounds. He moves incredibly well for his size.

It’s a new era in Carolina, and this Panthers regime will build this team how they see fit. The selection of Brown should go a long way in hinting how Carolina want to play football in 2020 and beyond. This is going to be an extremely tough football team up the middle, and Brown is the foundation of their future.

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2020 NFL Draft: Carolina Panthers team preview

Everything Carolina Panthers fans need to know heading into the 2020 NFL Draft

Everything Carolina Panthers fans need to know heading into the 2020 NFL Draft.

VITALS

Head Coach: Matt Rhule

General Manager: Marty Hurney

2019 Record: 5-11

2020 DRAFT PICKS

1 (7)

2 (38)

3 (69)

4 (113)

5 (152)

6 (184)

7 (221)

TEAM NEEDS

Linebacker

The sudden retirement of All-Pro linebacker Luke Kuechly left a hole in the middle of the Panthers defense. Addressing that spot early on in the NFL Draft will be key for Carolina and new head coach Matt Rhule. It wouldn’t hurt for them to take more than one linebacker in this class. The top of the list is Isaiah Simmons who could play a hybrid linebacker-safety for the defense.

Cornerback

Top cornerback from the 2019 season James Bradberry left to the New York Giants through free agency leaving a hole for the defense. Ross Cockrell who was also a free agent from the 2019 season remains unsigned. The dream scenario would be Jeffrey Okudah sliding outside of the top five to allow Carolina to swoop in and snag the top cornerback of the class. CJ Henderson is also another viable option as he is seemingly gaining momentum as the NFL Draft approaches.

Safety

Probably a need that is likely addressed on day two of the NFL Draft, safety is also a concerning need for this team. The back seven could use some attention and with targets such as Ashtyn Davis, Antoine Winfield, Jr., Xavier McKinney or one of the small-school prospects. There are plenty to choose from. The team did sign Tre Boston to a three-year deal, but they could use depth and an eventual starter.

TOP TARGETS

Isaiah Simmons | LB | Clemson

Jeffrey Okudah | CB| Ohio State

Derrick Brown | DL | Auburn

Javon Kinlaw | DL | South Carolina

CJ Henderson | CB | Florida

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Luke Kuechly’s retirement makes Isaiah Simmons prime target for Panthers

Luke Kuechly’s shocking retirement could have the Carolina Panthers targeting Clemson linebacker Isaiah Simmons in the 2020 NFL draft

The NFL Playoffs aren’t done yet, but the offseason is already kicking off with a shocking development, as Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly announced his retirement after just eight seasons Tuesday night.

A five-time first-team All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowler, Kuechly has been considered the gold standard at his position for most of his career. His unexpected retirement immediately leaves a gigantic void at the heart of the Carolina defense, both on the field and in the locker room.

That could leave the Panthers targeting his replacement early in the 2020 NFL draft, and they’ll have a worthy target in Clemson’s Isaiah Simmons.

A Swiss Army knife of a defensive weapon, Simmons lined up all over the field for the Tigers, making plays from the edge, off the ball, and even as a defensive back. His rare combination of size, athleticism and explosiveness have made him one of the nation’s most dynamic playmakers on defense, and Tigers did a fantastic job of maximizing his unique skill set.

The Panthers currently hold the No. 7 overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft, which is in perfect range to land Simmons, especially if multiple quarterbacks come off the board ahead of them. With LSU’s Joe Burrow, Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa and Oregon’s Justin Herbert all having a solid chance of going in the top six picks, chances are high that Simmons would still be on the board for Carolina at No. 7.

A player like Kuechly is never completely replaced, but if the Panthers can land Simmons, his absence would be far less noticeable, for the 2020 season and beyond.

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