Jadarius McCoy

Tuesday is the faithful day where some good athletes get walking papers. But, conversely, roster long shots that caught the coaching staff’s attention will get no news, which is good news.

The players have submitted all the work. The ball is now in the court of Scott Fitterer and ultimately Matt Rhule, who has the final say in roster moves in Carolina.

Here’s a look at some of the highest risers in this final preseason week.

Offensive Preseason MVP:

• Terrace Marshall Jr., WR

Defensive Preseason MVPs:

• Sean Chandler, S

• Frankie Luvu, LB

Lowest Fallers:

The interior OL had a rough outing in the third preseason game against the steelers. Paradis missed assignments and just had reps where the defender flat-out beat him. The issue is that he wasn’t facing the steelers’ best interior DL.

It takes the OL a little longer to get on the same page. It will be interesting to see if the Panthers will tweak the lineup. Paradis will make the team but will be a free agent in 2022.

 

The second OL unit did not fare much better than the first. Tecklenburg had some struggles as well.

He got beat on some pass-rushing reps. He didn’t look the best in space either. Tecklenburg is the only other listed center on the depth chart. The interior line still feels fluid apart from the starting center and right guard spots.

 

Thomas hasn’t played extensively in the preseason games. The coaches could be limiting his reps for the regular season. Even if that is the case, it doesn’t help that all the other backup TEs have been playing relatively well.

Thomas hasn’t shown that he is better than the backups at any singular skill. It might be best for both parties to part ways. Carolina would save 2 million against the cap, and the talented Thomas gets a fresh start.

 

Highest Risers:

Darnold saw his first action as the starter for the Panthers, and he showed promise.

Even with consistent pressure from the rush, Darnold showed poise and did not turn the ball over. He was decisive and did not pass on easy throws for harder ones. His feet looked much more disciplined as well.

He laid any QB 1 debate to rest. The Panthers are rolling with Darnold for 2021.

 

Miller was lauded last season as the type of player that Rhule wants on the team. So it came as no surprise that the team would bring him back in free agency.

On a night where the interior was roughed up, Miller was the best OL on the team. He did his job on stunts and nullified rushers in a 1v1 situation. As a result, he’s likely going to retain his starting spot at right guard.

 

Tremble has done a bit of everything at the TE spot all camp. However, the most important thing he has done all camp was proving his worth as a receiver.

Tremble showed excellent concentration, reeling in a seam shot that was ricocheted around. He has also consistently turned a check-down into a first-down when targeted in the flat. The rookie should be battling for the TE 2 spot if he hasn’t secured it already.

 

The Panthers traded a conditional 7th round pick to the Giants for Santoso just one day before the final preseason game. However, the coaches believed he showed enough to win the kicking competition.

Santoso made FGs of 52 and 27 yards and made all three of his extra-point attempts. It will remain to be seen if the release of Joey Slye was a rushed decision. For now, though, Santoso is the only kicker on the roster.

 

Hartsfield is the highest riser this week.

The box score will show one tackle and one pass deflection, but it won’t show that his reps came with the first and second-team defense. This is a huge change from his 4th string spot on the depth chart.

He has the ability to play safety and nickel corner. He could be in the discussion to occupy the Nickelback role until AJ Bouye returns from suspension.

The Panthers have endured two joint practices in as many weeks, with an unimpressive preseason loss against the Baltimore Ravens.

For many players, snaps have become more valuable. With training camp officially over, the battle for roster spots is over halfway complete. For some players, it’s already too late to prove their value. For others, the opportunity to climb the depth chart is still within grasp.

The second round of roster cuts will be due this Tuesday, as teams will be required to trim the roster to 80 players.

There is one more preseason game, the dress rehearsal for the first and second teams.

With less than ten days to go until the final cut day, here are the most recent lowest fallers and highest risers:

Honorable mention (risers):

• Christian Miller, LB/DE
• Chuba Hubbard, RB
• Clay Johnston, LB
• Derrick Brown, DT
• Joseph Charlton, P
• Julian Stanford, LB
• Shi Smith, WR

Lowest Fallers:

When the Panthers signed Elflein, they intended that he would become a starter at left guard. However, on Saturday night, the left side of the offensive line had a rough outing.

Elflein appeared ineffective in goal-line run blocking, as the Panthers failed on back-to-back plays for a turnover on downs. He may still be a starter for now, but he needs better outings to help steady this OL.

 

Before the season started, many looked at Daley as a starter with plenty of upside. Unfortunately, he did not do well on the left side either, as he appeared to have missed some assignments.

When he has been healthy, Daley has been solid in the past. However, he hasn’t shown enough to compete for a starting role, and nothing suggests he is taking many of the starter’s reps.

 

Julius has played a lot of snaps in these past two preseason games. But, unfortunately, he hasn’t been able to separate himself from the competition.

On Saturday, Julius played both nickel and outside corner. He showed some timidness in coverage. He also missed a tackle that led to a chunk play for the Ravens. Now that Myles Hartsfield’s snap count is increasing, Julius may see his opportunities dwindle as well.

 

Walker appeared to come back down to earth after his solid outing against the Colts.

Instead of helping elevate the 3rd unit’s play, he seemed to play down to their level. As a result, he looked unable to establish a rhythm or extend a drive.

The door has slammed shut on Walker challenging Sam Darnold now. Instead, whoever wins the backup QB battle will probably get the extra reps on Friday night.

 

Thompson played four snaps against the Ravens, where he looked like his 2020 self.

He avoided blockers and attacked the wrong gaps again, which hurt the run defense.

Some of the younger LBs have become tone setters. Thompson’s role as the Mike LB appears to have changed. The Panthers may be looking into more of a rotation at LB, which would eat into Thompson’s snaps.

 

Highest Risers:

Christensen did not take reps with the starters on Saturday, but he was able to show improvement overall.

He played at both RT and guard and did well in run and pass blocking. He did not allow many rushers to get him on his heels this game, which was a key contrast from the Colts game. If there is anything the Panthers need on their OL, it’s a steady hand. Christensen appears to prove his worth in that regard.

 

Franklin was a vocal tone-setter in the final week of camp, which carried right into the game.

He had another solid outing, making key tackles, including a 3rd down stop. His snap count has increased from the first game, playing in just under 50% of defensive snaps. Franklin is the second-string SS, and he has shown the versatility to play both spots.

 

After it seemed as if the colts picked on him, Taylor bounced back with a solid performance.

He showed enough long speed to cover the deep ball, and he had excellent coverage underneath. Cornerback is one of the most demanding positions to play in the NFL. Being in position in different situations can be a game-changer. He appeared injured at one point but got back up under his own power.

 

Coach Rhule mentioned that he wanted to see more of Grier, so he played with the second-team offense. He did not disappoint.

Grier established a good rhythm and made some beautiful throws on all three levels of the field. He did miss a TD opportunity, but this was easily the best outing of his career. The backup QB spot is still very much fair game.

 

Kevin Greene’s mentee Frankie Luvu is the highest riser this week.

He was everywhere on the field and seemingly was in on every play, forcing a fumble, making key tackles, and rushing the passer. He brought energy to the defense after the first unit sat down and had a key pass deflection.

Luvu may have proved this camp that he is more than just a special teamer.

Much like the stock market, the nature of life on an NFL roster can be one with its share of ups and downs. For players and investors alike, the goal is to add value to their portfolios and avoid losses.

However, the highs are not always consistent. The lows are bound to come. The best in both fields are skilled in reacting correctly to good and bad days.

For the players, stringing together solid performances will help their case to crack the final roster. In addition, responding positively to bad outings can help them get back on track. On the other hand, bad outings and reacting negatively to bad performances may leave them on the outside looking in.

With one preseason game in the rear-view, let’s review the lowest fallers and highest risers.

Honorable Mention (risers)

• Chuba Hubbard, RB
• Frankie Luvu, LB
• Marquis Haynes, EDGE
• Sam Franklin, S
• Tommy Tremble, TE

Lowest Fallers:

Trent Scott came into camp as one of the players set to challenge for the starting LT spot. Unfortunately, his outing this game did not fully confirm his ability. The Colt’s speedy pass rushers gave him fits and forced a false start infraction from Scott.

It was not a completely bad day for Scott, as he did his part in blocking a T-E stunt from the Colts front, but this outing probably will not help him earn more snaps at LT with the first team.

 

Joey Slye started the game strong with three conversions from 29, 28, and 41 yards, respectively, but he would then miss an extra point and a 63-yard field goal back-to-back.

On the day, Slye was 4/6 on kicks. The deep 63-yard attempt notwithstanding, he didn’t have a bad day. Still, Slye hasn’t laid the concerns at kicker to rest for the team either. He could find himself in another kicking competition before the season opener this year.

 

Roy got the start against the Colts and was, for the most part, a non-factor.

He was consistently moved from the point of attack by the Colts OL and appeared to have trouble disengaging blocks and getting into the backfield against one blocker.

He doesn’t play a stat-padding position, but the team will need to revisit the rotation structure if he doesn’t improve at eating blocks and getting off blocks.

 

Troy Pride Jr. started behind the 8-ball when the team released their unofficial depth chart. He was the 7th corner listed after seeing meaningful playing time last season.

The Colts seemed to pick on Pride, and while he made some solid plays, he gave up consecutive chunk plays that led to a Colts score.

Pride Jr. also sustained an apparent knee injury and required a cart to leave the field. Hopefully, the injury isn’t severe, and he can continue to compete for snaps.

 

Martez Ivey had the roughest game of all the players. He had to wait until well into the second half to get snaps at LT.

When the Panthers faced a crucial 3rd down in the 4th quarter, he committed two of three consecutive false start penalties, turning a 3rd & 2 into a 3rd & 17.

He is already on the bubble as the 4th left tackle listed on the depth chart.

 

Highest Risers:

P.J. Walker proved last season that he could stick on an NFL roster after staving off Will Grier for QB 2 on the depth chart. But, unfortunately, the issue that showed up in his lone start was decision-making.

Walker showed improvement in that area and was still able to show off his arm talent. He left some yards on the field by not running when he had the opportunity, but Walker will remain QB 2, and he might even force the coaches to consider a legitimate competition for the starting job with Sam Darnold.

 

Sean Chandler was a standout performer thus far in training camp.

He got the start opposite Sam Franklin and made a huge defensive stop on 3rd down to get the defense off the field. The team used him at both safety spots, and he looked effective in that role.

His performance might open the door for a battle with Juston Burris for 1st team reps.

 

Kenny Robinson did a little bit of everything for the team on Sunday.

He is primarily a free safety but showed his desire and willingness to tackle in run support. That desire yielded a big hit on the ball carrier. Robinson also secured the lone INT for the panthers on the day.

Along with Chandler, Robinson brought energy to the defense. It would be a shocker not to see his snap count reflect his performance.

 

The drops that Terrace Marshall Jr. had early in camp did not carry over into the game. Instead, he was reliable and caught passes he should have. In addition to being sure-handed, he flashed his chunk play ability when he extended his route up the sideline for a 60-yard catch-and-run.

Coach Rhule mentioned that he would bring Marshall Jr along slowly as he recovered from his injury, but it appears that he may be more ready than projected.

 

Hoskins was the highest riser on Sunday.

He successfully beat his blocker when in a 1-on-1 situation consistently. To adjust for this, the Colts tried to double team him and get him off the spot, and Hoskins did not give up much ground.

He defeated block attempts with his hands and footwork, which other interior d-linemen did not display in Sunday’s game. Hoskins should shoot up the depth chart if he can carry this momentum.