The first preseason game of the NFL season has come and gone, and the Carolina Panthers are getting a better idea of who will be their starters this season. The Panthers are trying to build off last year’s season, which included one of the worst defenses ever seen in the league. New additions could help fill in some of the holes, and some of those new players are helping build defensive momentum even during preseason. Additions and changes to the offensive line could also help the team succeed this season, with some players shining brighter than others.
Corey Thornton started off his career in the NFL with some disappointment when he failed to be drafted after a successful college career at Louisville. He’s quickly become a player to watch during practices. Being undrafted means he’s had to fight from the bottom with an even slimmer margin of error. The would-be starting cornerback has the build typically seen with defensive backs, and he put it to work against the Browns. Head coach Dave Canales highlighted his play, saying that he always seems to find a way to get into a good position. It’ll be important to watch him throughout the rest of the preseason to see if he can continue his rise in the pros.
The Browns might have won the preseason game, but the Panthers won when it came to the success of one of their new players: Nic Scourton. The second-round pick has a lot riding on his shoulders, after general manager Dan Morgan swapped four picks with the Denver Broncos to secure him. It’s already paying off, after Scourton showcased his explosiveness to take on Cleveland quarterbacks. He finished the game with one sack and two tackles, a major sign that the player is responding well to Carolina’s coaching.
Jalen Coker was the man to celebrate during the preseason game. The 2024 undrafted sophomore with the team scored the only touchdown against the Browns on a scramble with quarterback Bryce Young. Coker had some issues during his first year with the team, but has reportedly trained all summer in order to show up for them. That work is now paying off, with one official touchdown recorded. There was another one-handed grab that was taken away by a penalty, but still a good look regardless. He’ll have to continue to get his name out there, as he currently sits in a very crowded wide receiver room.
Fans can’t look at this preseason game without taking a quick peek at Bryce Young. The third-year quarterback has faced problems since joining the league and has been taken out of his position several times in order to help bring back losing seasons. It seems working with Andy Dalton last year might have been the thing Young needed to grow his confidence. He showed a new level of that confidence on the field, completing 14 out of 23 passes for 138 during the two series he played. He worked well to direct players on the field, and overall, it looks like he’s finally settled into his role in the NFL.
At the end of the day, preseason games don’t mean anything for the regular season and are just warm-up opportunities for rookies entering the NFL. While that might be the case, it’s easy for Panthers fans to see any sort of marked improvement as good news after several seasons of horrible losses and record-worst defenses. Canales and Morgan seem to actually be working to rebuild a team that has been floundering since their last Super Bowl appearance ten years ago. There are good players who have significant opportunities to do well in the league if Carolina can allow them to grow.
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