The Panthers lost several long-time veterans this offseason to retirement or free agency. While there’s something to be said for experience, an aging roster is not exactly an ideal thing in the NFL.
Heading into 2019, Carolina’s roster looks younger and more promising for the future than it has in several years. ESPN and Football Outsiders have the Panthers ranked No. 12 in the league as far as under-25 talent.
On offense, the core young pieces include running back Christian McCaffrey (23 years old) and wide receivers D.J. Moore (22) and Curtis Samuel (23). Together, those three should carry the offense into the final act of Cam Newton’s career and help keep the team competitive.
While the foundation of the defense is much older, there are also a couple of intriguing young talents there, including rookie outside linebacker Brian Burns (21) and second-year cornerback Donte Jackson (23). Here’s what ESPN said about Carolina’s youth movement on that side of the ball.
“On defense, Burns may have been the fourth edge rusher off the board in the 2019 draft, but he led all prospects in Football Outsiders’ pass-rusher projection rating, SackSEER. Increased pass pressure would make a thin secondary look better regardless of its talent, and second-year cornerback Donte Jackson can help if he becomes more consistent.”
Carolina also has several defensive players who have passed the age of 25 but are still in their prime and will be valuable contributors for a while, including Shaq Thompson (25), Eric Reid (27) and Tre Boston (27).
If GM Marty Hurney can retool the team’s defensive front seven with young talent over the next few offseasons, the Panthers should be well set up to compete for at least the remainder of the Newton/Luke Kuechly era.
