The idea that roster building is a year-round business has almost become a cliché, and with the imminent approach of the cut down to 53 man rosters, another opportunity arises for teams to fill perceived gaps. Although the Panthers will not be looking to make significant changes to what is a very talented roster, it would be foolish not to explore every opportunity. While there isn’t time to go into detail about every player who might get cut here, this piece will focus on a handful of players who would make sense for the Panthers if and when they become available.
#97 Stevie Tu’ikolovatu, DT Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tu’ikolovatu wasn’t drafted until the seventh round, likely because of his age (26), and, as such, is far from secure as a feature of the Buccaneers’ roster. However, despite his low draft standing, there is a lot to like about him on tape. He is built (6’1″ 320lbs) and plays like a prototypical nose tackle, with the ability to clog running lanes allowing others to make plays. Given the concerns over Kyle Love’s availability there would certainly be a need for such a player on the Panthers’ roster.
Technically, he shows good hand usage to control his blocker and plays with good pad level. He is never going to be the fastest of players but he has a decent get-off and also shows an ability to turn that burst into power, as above. Where his real value lies is in his ability to stuff running lanes, thereby allowing other players to make plays, as in the play below.
#77 Isaiah Battle, OT Kansas City Chiefs
Battle was a supplemental pick in 2015 but never managed to stick with the Rams after missing much of his rookie offseason due to injury. However, he has looked very good so far for the Chiefs during the preseason and would go a long way in mitigating some of the Panthers’ offensive line depth concerns.
Where he has been most impressive is in pass protection, showing a nice slide, as in the play above, and with good hand usage. While he has a tendency to play a tiny bit high, much of this is masked by his use of hands to keep pass rushers off balance, as below.
What is also promising is how he is able to recover when initially beaten, as in the two plays below. On the first play, he is initially beaten outside by a speed move but maintains position and is able to force the defender around the quarterback. On the second play, he is able to quickly respond to an inside move with a strong punch. Being able to recover in such ways is often what prevents mistakes from becoming sacks.
While not a mauler in the run game, Battle also shows some ability to move his man, aided by maintaining a low pad level as he drives through the defender.
#89 Brandon Reilly, WR Buffalo Bills
While Damiere Byrd has likely done enough to separate himself as the fifth wide receiver, Brenton Bersin’s injury has opened up the competition for the sixth spot if the Panthers decide that Kaelin Clay is not the right fit. Brandon Reilly wasn’t a big name as an undrafted free agent, but has impressed during the preseason with his route running and hands; Reilly could be an option should the Panthers look to carry six receivers.
The play above is a good demonstration of how he has been able to be effective: he gets release against press, makes a nice break on the route and makes the catch before picking up the first down. While he doesn’t have the speed to take the top off the defense, he is able to use his size (6’2″, 200lbs) and route running to create enough space to make the catch, as on the play below.
Reilly is far from alone in his ability to move the chains in this way (Bersin is very similar) and his route running has shown flashes of how he might be able to develop further. Running out of the slot on the following play, he runs a simple out route which the linebacker looks to undercut (ignore the near interception, which is entirely on the quarterback).
Knowing this, Reilly then uses an outside fake on his next route before breaking back to the middle. This route never gets to fully develop here, but these are the nuances which separate the best route runners from the rest. Reilly could be an option for the practice squad as well.
#26 Doran Grant, CB Jacksonville Jaguars
Secondary depth has been a consistent issue throughout training camp and while Teddy Williams, Zack Sanchez and Cole Luke have all flashed at times, none have done enough to solidify a roster spot. Grant was a fourth-round pick by the Steelers out of Ohio State back in 2015 but failed to stick on the roster and, after bouncing around practice squads, has ended up well down the Jaguars’ depth chart.
While he lacks the size (5’10 and 196lbs) to play outside in the Panthers’ system, he could provide some depth behind Munnerlyn at nickel with rookie Corn Elder still injured. While Grant has so far largely been used outside by the Jaguars, he has demonstrated the short-area quickness that is so important when playing inside, exemplified in the following plays against the Panthers.
#41 Marqui Christian, SS Los Angeles Rams
After Dean Marlowe’s injury, depth at safety has been a significant concern. While Southward and McCray have shown flashes during their extended preseason playing time, the Panthers are highly likely to be in the safety market heading into next week. Despite largely lacking in talent, the Rams’ roster is deep at safety and Christian could well be on the outside looking in after spending last season as a special teams regular. As an in-box safety, Christian shows both willing and technique as a tackler. He doesn’t look to dive in but instead shows patience before wrapping up the ball carrier as below.
He also shows the requisite quickness to be able to cover tight ends and running backs in space and, as mentioned earlier, has also demonstrated an ability to contribute on special teams.
#1 Josh Woodrum, QB Baltimore Ravens
Derek Anderson has been one of the better back-up QBs in recent years, but his preseason struggles are just the latest development in what has been somewhat of a decline over the past eighteen months. It should therefore not be out of the question that, with Newton coming off shoulder surgery, the Panthers might look to find a new, cheaper back-up.
Josh Woodrum has really impressed during the preseason for the Ravens, showing good arm strength and decision making. While he doesn’t have an enormous arm, he is still able to push the ball down the field, and does so with good touch, as above. While it is hard to get a firm grip on a players accuracy in limited snaps, he showed the ability to not just hit receivers but also place the ball away from defenders, as below.
What really stands out, especially for a rookie, is how he is able to process plays and go through his reads to find the open man. On both of the following plays, he doesn’t look to force the ball downfield but instead hits the open receiver in stride underneath, thereby allowing them to gain yards after the catch.
Finally, while he is not a running threat in the way that Cam is, he is still highly mobile and would likely be a better scheme fit than Anderson in this regard, as exemplified on this rushing touchdown against the Dolphins.
#73 Jarron Jones, OT/DT New York Giants
The Giants have been trying to convert Jones to offensive tackle during training camp with limited success, but his appeal for the Panthers will likely lie in his ability as a gap penetrator against the run. There is a chance the Panthers could carry as many as ten defensive linesmen this season and Jones made enough plays like those below at Notre Dame to merit real consideration for one of those.
While these players would make interesting targets for the Carolina Panthers, they have no guarantee of even hitting the open market; their teams may decide to keep them on the roster or a team ahead of the Panthers may claim them off of waivers. These are simply examples of the types of players that the Panthers may be interested in. Any diamonds in the rough you think might be out there? Let me know in the comments!
