Panthers rookie watch: Jeremy Chinn levels up in Week 6

Panthers rookie watch: Jeremy Chinn levels up in Week 6

The Panthers lost to the Bears yesterday 23-16, but they kept it close and competitive as they have in every game so far this season. Carolina also saw some promising signs from its 2020 draft class.

Here’s how the rookies did this week.

DB Jeremy Chinn

Through the first five weeks we saw Chinn make plays all over the field in run defense, showing tremendous range and tackling ability. This week, Chinn made a breakthrough in coverage. He posted two pass breakups and an interception.

He also had an impressive PBU against Jimmy Graham the previous play.

Chinn is now getting talked up as a potential Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate. Even if that doesn’t happen, the Panthers have to be thrilled with how he’s played so far. The sheer number of places he’s lined up is reason to believe he has an extremely bright future ahead of him.

DT Derrick Brown

As for the team’s first-round pick, Brown is still being an absolute game-wrecker against the run. Brown posted another powerful tackle for a loss against Chicago yesterday.

Brown also helped pressure Nick Foles on the interception he threw to Chinn. The more of that we see from Brown, the better.

CB Troy Pride Jr.

With Donte Jackson still hampered by his toe injury, Pride got the start at outside corner opposite Rasul Douglas. Pride played relatively well with his increased snap count. He was flagged for a defensive pass interference penalty but it came on an uncatchable pass and was a garbage flag.

DT Bravvion Roy

With Short out, the other interior defensive linemen have to step up when they’re given opportunities. Roy acquitted himself well in limited action and got a quarterback hit on Nick Foles.

LB Sam Franklin

Safety Juston Burris went down with what looked like a serious upper body injury just before the half. That gave Franklin some time on the field and he did well for himself. He played 23 defensive snaps (35%) and made a couple of nice tackles.

As for the rest, defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos is on in the injured reserve list with a high ankle sprain, safety Kenny Robinson remains one of the team’s protected practice squad players and seventh-rounder Stantley Thomas-Oliver still can’t get any playing time outside of special teams. The undrafted DB/RB Myles Hartsfield has become a core special teamer, leading the team in playing time on that end.

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