The Carolina Panthers are a team in transition. Entering the second year of the Matt Rhule era, the Panthers have a new quarterback and is probably a year or two away from serious contention. However, that doesn’t mean this team doesn’t have some seriously talented playmakers. Even though the Pro Bowl is a glorified popularity contest, the Panthers still have plenty of guys that could earn the honor at the end of the season.
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Five Carolina Panthers That Could Make the Pro Bowl
Christian McCaffrey
By far the most likely selection on this list, Christian McCaffrey might just be the best running back in football when fully healthy. While injuries limited him to just three games last season, the Carolina Panthers running back is one of the few three-down runners left in the league. Seeing the field for nearly every snap, McCaffrey has the speed to get to the outside, the strength to run up the gut, and the hands and acceleration to be a dangerous threat in the passing game. If he plays all 16 games, he should be a shoo-in for a Pro Bowl selection.
The most yards-after-catch since 2018?
That's @CMC_22 with 1,983. 📊 (h/t @PFF) pic.twitter.com/AuLNz8h92E
— NFL (@NFL) July 1, 2021
Jeremy Chinn
After a fantastic rookie season, Jeremy Chinn looks to become the next building block for the Carolina Panthers defense. After spending the majority of his rookie season as a linebacker, head coach Matt Rhule announced that Chinn will be switching back to safety in Year 2. While a position switch for a player of his caliber is normally a bad idea, Chinn should be able to handle this without skipping a beat. The Southern Illinois product is a safety by trade, and he’ll still spend most of his time near the line of scrimmage. While he is still on the outside looking in for a Pro Bowl nod, he could easily earn the honor if he takes his game to the next level.
Jeremy Chinn unlocked his nickname 👑🦊#ProBowlVote + @ChinnJeremy2 pic.twitter.com/tjTrOxtaBa
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) December 5, 2020
D.J. Moore
D.J. Moore has quietly been one of the more productive receivers in the league over the past three years, despite having nothing to work with at the quarterback position. Since entering the league, the former first-round pick has recorded 208 receptions for 3,156 yards and 10 touchdowns despite catching passes from Kyle Allen, Will Grier, Teddy Bridgewater, and a battered Cam Newton. He can make plays at all three levels of the field, as evidenced by his complete change in usage from 2019 to 2020.
The biggest reason Moore doesn’t receive more national acclaim is due to his end zone struggles. The Maryland product has yet to record more than four touchdowns in a single season, but that could have more to do with his quarterbacks than the receiver himself. If Sam Darnold can actually be an upgrade, then perhaps Moore can record more touchdowns and earn a spot on the Pro Bowl roster.
Here is every 20+ yard reception by #Panthers WR D.J. Moore during the 2020 season: pic.twitter.com/DAy9KJYRKi
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) July 1, 2021
Jaycee Horn
It is incredibly hard for rookies to make the Pro Bowl, but if anyone can do it, it’s Jaycee Horn. The South Carolina product is an absolute freak of nature with phenomenal skills in man coverage. These traits tend to translate to NFL success, and he’ll have an early chance to shine. The NFC South is loaded with great receivers, and Horn could make a name for himself if he can slow down Mike Evans, Michael Thomas, and Calvin Ridley throughout the season.
I’ve looked at 3 different clocks and all three had 4.39 for Jaycee Horn. He’s not running again. Obviously. pic.twitter.com/nL3xMtNSny
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) March 24, 2021
Brian Burns
If Brian Burns were on a more popular team, then he might have already made the Pro Bowl. The former first-round pick is one of the NFL’s better pass rushers, and should only get better as he gets older. Burns broke out in a big way last year, recording nine sacks and finishing with 7.5 as a rookie. Now entrenched as a full-time starter, the Florida State product has a very real chance of finishing with double-digit sacks. That should be enough to earn a Pro Bowl selection.
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