Former NFL LB makes Bold Statement on Panthers Defense

[CarolinaLivin]

Willie McGinest (Former NFL LB) Makes Bold Statement on Panthers' Defense

During a recent segment on the NFL Network, former NFL stars Joe Thomas and Willie McGinest were discussing Sam Darnold's potential with the Panthers. During that segment, McGinist showed some love to the Panthers' defense and believes they could be one of the best units in the league.

"The defense, they'll have a top 10 defense. They'll be really good. There's a lot of No. 1 picks - five of them I think and a lot of high draft choices on that side of the ball."

Over the years, the Panthers have drafted some really good defensive players. From Julius Peppers to Thomas Davis to Luke Kuechly to Shaq Thompson to Brian Burns and several others. 

Once Matt Rhule took over as the head coach last offseason, that side of the ball needed to be addressed at every level. They did so by making all seven of their selections defensive players. At the top of last year's class, they snagged defensive lineman Derrick Brown and safety Jeremy Chinn. Both had solid rookie seasons and look to be very important pieces for the Panthers to build around. In this year's draft, the Panthers went with a defensive player again in the 1st round and took South Carolina cornerback, Jaycee Horn.

The Panthers may be the youngest team in the NFL but they have a defense that has a ton of talent at all three levels. Just take a look at the projected starting 11 and where they were selected when they were drafted.

DE Brian Burns - 1st round, 16th overall (2019)

DT Derrick Brown - 1st round, 7th overall (2020)

DT DaQuan Jones - 4th round, 112th overall (2014)

DE Yetur Gross-Matos - 2nd round, 38th overall (2020)

LB Shaq Thompson - 1st round, 25th overall (2015)

LB Denzel Perryman - 2nd round, 48th overall (2015)

LB Haason Reddick - 1st round, 13th overall (2017)

CB Jaycee Horn - 1st round, 8th overall (2021)

CB Donte Jackson - 2nd round, 55th overall (2018)

S Jeremy Chinn - 2nd round, 64th overall (2020)

S Juston Burris - 4th round, 118th overall (2016)

 

Link: https://www.si.com/nfl/panthers/gm-report/willie-mcginest-makes-bold-statement-on-panthers-defense

Edited May 27, 2021 by CarolinaLivin

[Black&BlueBubba]

Let hope it pays off.  

[stackofbacon]

really not that bold of a statement given who we've gotten the last 2 years

[Jorgie]

This d-line is gonna cause a lot of problems.

Wouldnt be surprised to see another round of signings come the June 1st cuts/Training camp.

Edited May 27, 2021 by Jorgie

[Pup McBarky]

I agree with him. I think the defense is definitely top 10 and we have a shot to be even better, depending on a couple of the pieces we got. 

Edited May 27, 2021 by Pup McBarky

[SBBlue]

I likey.

[Moo Daeng]

We have a lot of potential pieces to throw at the opposing QB from different levels and alignments. On paper it's looking interesting. There's a good mix of stout and finesse. 

[Captain Morgan]

[Ivan The Awesome]

Honestly it would be a failure if we weren't in the top 10 with all the defense that was drafted and the talent that is on that side of the ball. 

[DaveThePanther2008]

30 minutes ago, Pup McBarky said:

I agree with him. I think the defense is definitely top 10 and we have a shot to be even better, depending on a couple of the pieces we got. 

So many teams are not watching what we are doing.  They are going to have a rude awakening very soon.  I If this defense is top 10.  I think if Darnold can keep the mistakes down and put some points on the board we are going to win many games.  I also think we will play well against anyone we face in 2021. 

[micnificent28]

There is a ton of talent I agree. But top 10? I suppose it's in the range of possibilities I just wasn't expecting it so soon. Hard to imagine after a lot of what we seen last season. We saw flashes just no consistency.

[JawnyBlaze]

If they’re not top ten, it’s time to get rid of Snow. The dline should be brutal, the lb’s should be good enough, and the secondary should be quite good now, with at least two stars in Chinn and Horn (even if Horn takes a little time to adjust)

[TheSpecialJuan]

Yay

[bythenbrs]

4 minutes ago, TheSpecialJuan said:

Yay

You are very economical in your choice of words.  Brevity becomes you.