If you follow the Carolina Panthers, chances are you know that the team’s strongest position group has been its linebackers for the past half decade. Arguably the most important position on the defensive side has been in good hands for much of the franchise’s existence thanks to players like Sam Mills, Dan Morgan, Jon Beason and others. With former linebacker Ron Rivera as their head coach, it only makes sense that the Panthers fielded a unit of very capable and talented linebackers in 2018. Let’s take a look at how the Panthers linebacker unit performed during the 2018 season.
A Review of the Carolina Panthers Linebackers in 2018
Luke Kuechly
2018 Stats: 130 tackles, 20 tackles for loss (a franchise record), two sacks, two forced fumbles, six pass deflections and one interception
2017 Stats: 125 tackles, seven tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, one forced fumble, six pass deflections, three interceptions and one defensive touchdown
It is almost impossible to describe how great Luke Kuechly has been at middle linebacker since coming into the league in 2012. Despite the injury history in the previous three seasons, Kuechly stayed healthy all 2018 which was encouraging to see. His instincts to diagnose run plays only got better as the season went along which is why he broke Charles Johnson‘s franchise record for most tackles for a loss in a season.
Kuechly recorded double-digit tackles in eight games during 2018 and had his best game against the Philadelphia Eagles in which he recorded 13 tackles, a season-high four tackles for loss and one sack. The five-time all-pro also recorded 13 tackles in the season opener against the Dallas Cowboys and in the Monday Night Football matchup versus the New Orleans Saints. Kuechly had plenty of highlights in 2018 but none will show his determination and will to tackle the ball carrier as much as this one from the Monday Night game.
Luke Kuechly. That’s just frightening. Kyle Love, move out the way pic.twitter.com/Pc5Mvzx9jr
— Panthers 24/7 (@Panthers24_7) December 18, 2018
2018 Overall Grade: A+
2019 Predictions: 145 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, two interceptions, one forced fumble and one defensive touchdown
Thomas Davis Sr.
2018 Stats: 79 tackles, three tackles for loss, six pass deflections and two fumble recoveries in 12 games
2017 Stats: 76 tackles, seven tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and one fumble recovery in 15 games
Thomas Davis was suspended for the first four games of the 2018 regular season due to a violation of the NFL’s PED policy last off-season. Despite missing the four games, Davis came back strong in his reduced role on the defense. The reduced role was given to him to let teammate Shaq Thompson get more playing time as the writing was on the wall that Davis might not return to the Panthers in 2019. Davis’ best game of the season came against the Saints on Monday night as he recorded 12 tackles and one pass deflection, reminding the league what an impressive duo he and Kuechly are.
At season’s end, Davis announced via Twitter that the Panthers did not intend to bring him back for 2019. The linebacker had hinted at retirement during the season but the three-time Pro Bowler decided that he was not done yet and signed a deal with the Los Angeles Chargers. Davis’ energy and leadership will certainly be missed as will his on-field production.
2018 Overall Grade: A-
2021 Prediction: Signs a one-day contract to retire as a Carolina Panther
Shaq Thompson
2018 Stats: 79 tackles, four tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and one forced fumble in 14 games
2017 Stats: 57 tackles, six tackles for loss, two sacks and one forced fumble in 14 games
Thompson got a boost in playing time during 2018 due to Davis’ suspension and the former first-round pick played at a high level. He started the first four games of the year and recorded 22 tackles and one sack in those games. His best game of the season came against the Baltimore Ravens when Thompson recorded 13 tackles.
Thompson took a dip in production the tail end of the season but with Davis out of the picture in 2019, Thompson will see a much bigger role. While many fans may expect him to produce just like Davis did, Thompson possesses a much different skillset. He is a more dynamic pass rusher and has the speed to cover a lot of ground in coverage as seen here.
This is an incredible zone drop by Shaq Thompson after Bradberry incorrectly guesses on the underneath route. Few linebackers can cover this ground. pic.twitter.com/r5LWSd1zVe
— Ian Wharton (@NFLFilmStudy) September 27, 2017
Overall 2018 Grade: B
2019 Prediction: 84 tackles, five tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, two interceptions and one forced fumble
Jermaine Carter
2018 Stats: 13 tackles and one tackle for loss
The fifth-round pick out of Maryland impressed a lot of Carolina’s coaching staff during the preseason which was good enough to land him a roster spot. Primarily a special teamer, Carter earned his chance to start in the final two games of the season. With Davis gone, Jermaine Carter will most likely take over Thompson’s old role and be the third linebacker when the Panthers are in their base defensive front.
Overall 2018 Grade: C+
2019 Predictions: 60 tackles, two tackles for loss, and one sack
David Mayo
2018 Stats: 14 tackles in 3 starts
David Mayo has been a solid piece in the Panthers special teams corps the past few years. When given the opportunity to play on the defense, Mayo has struggled and has been slow to make reads. However, the linebacker signed with the San Francisco 49ers this off-season as the Panthers decided to move on.
2018 Overall Grade: C
Future at the Position
With much bigger needs elsewhere on the team, don’t expect the Panthers to sign any linebackers this off-season. Come draft weekend, things could get interesting if either Devin White or Devin Bush fell to them at pick #16. While it is highly unlikely, the Panthers are known for taking the best player available and both of those two at that spot would be the case.
Carter provided a small sample size of what he is capable of in 2018 which should help the front office and coaching staff going forward. Davis is gone, which means the great duo of he and Kuechly is no more. But Thompson’s versatility could create the opportunity for an exciting linebacker duo in a different style. Do not expect the linebacker play to drop off at all in 2019.
Main photo:
Embed from Getty Images
