Marcus Gilchrist
2017: 56 tackles (45 solo), 6 passes defended, 1 interception, 1 forced fumble, 1 sack. 2017 Cap Hit: $2.8m
Marcus Gilchrist has never managed to live up to his draft stock, but now entering his eighth season in the league, he does offer a certain level of known competence. While his biggest asset is still his athleticism, he offers the ability to be a mediocre starting safety at either spot; that might be enough to win the job for the current iteration of the Panthers roster.
As an in-box run defender, Gilchrist shows good gap discipline and decent tackling technique, as evidenced by the following plays (For reference, Gilchrist wears #21):
He does still get quite high in tackles, allowing him to be driven backwards at times, but he rarely misses tackles completely. In space, he shows the ability to pursue to the ball and although he can be somewhat overaggressive in this regard, his make-up speed is impressive:
He also shows this pursuit speed and tackling in the short passing game, and it’s on plays like these, where he can simply pursue to the ball, that he is at his best:
This speed is also useful in coverage, and in zone often allows him to compensate for his mediocre reaction speed and play identification. On each of the following plays, Gilchrist is able to make up the gap to the receiver, managing to either break up the play or prevent the run after the catch:
Where he struggles is if he is left to cover against a receiver solo in a deep zone. Here, he gets turned around too easily and allows the easy completion:
Given his athletic ability, mistakes like this are largely mental, though how much he is likely to improve at this stage of his career is questionable. What he does offer as a zone defender, however, is the ball skills to create turnovers, as evidenced by the following play:
He was also used a reasonable amount in man coverage, and while all of the following passes are completed, he does show the ability to compete at the catch point and is in good position to prevent any run after the catch:
Gilchrist is unexceptional in almost all areas of the game, but he is at least competent throughout. Should the Panthers sign him, his value is in his ability to be a stopgap starter while a younger player is developed behind him, while eventually offering depth at both safety positions.
Last, But Not Least: Some Higher End Options
