Which Panthers Have the Most Pressure on Them in 2023?

This fall will be a critical year for a handful of guys on the Panthers' roster.

Every year there are a cluster of players who enter the season with a lot of pressure on them for a variety of reasons. 

Maybe they're entering a contract year, time is running thin on living up to expectations, injury concerns, or maybe they were brought in to be an immediate fix at a key position.

There are five players on the Panthers' roster that immediately come to mind who have a lot of pressure on them this season, all for different reasons.

QB Bryce Young

Anytime you're taken first overall in the draft, there's a lot to live up to. Everyone expects you to come in and light it up right away even if that's an unfair expectation. The coaching staff, front office, and several players on the roster have poured into the preseason hype surrounding Bryce talking about how he acts like a quarterback that's well beyond his years. The Panthers gave up a lot to move up to No. 1 and as talented as Young is, there is some concern with his durability due to his size. The NFL hasn't seen many quarterbacks of his stature have success in the league, so in that realm the odds are against him. 

WR Terrace Marshall Jr.

The Panthers hoped Terrace Marshall Jr. would develop into a solid number two option alongside DJ Moore when they drafted him. With Moore now in Chicago, the Panthers hope he can do more than become WR2. He showed flashes of being a big-time playmaker last season and with better coaching and support around him, maybe it begins to click for him and he emerges as WR1. Someone in that room needs to step into that role and there will be a lot of eyes on Marshall to be that guy.

LG Brady Christensen

I feel for Brady, man. I really do. He's had to learn three offenses in the first three years of his career, has played three different positions, and has had two o-line coaches. As soon as he locks into a spot, the team drafts someone at his position in Chandler Zavala. It was the right decision by Scott Fitterer to add depth and competition up front, so I'm not knocking that at all. But if Christensen isn't careful, Zavala could overtake him as the starting left guard.

LB Yetur Gross-Matos

Gross-Matos is a true 4-3 defensive end and has always been a true 4-3 defensive end. Making the transition to outside linebacker isn't going to be smooth for a guy who has no prior experience dropping into coverage or even just from the standpoint of seeing things from that vantage point. Carolina has been browsing the free agent market for help at the position and if they do sign someone, it could lead to fewer snaps for the former second-round pick.

CB Donte Jackson

Can Jackson finally shake away from the injury bug? That's the big question. Last year he dealt with an ankle injury before suffering a torn Achilles, effectively ending his season. In 2021, his season was cut short due to a groin injury and in 2020 he dealt with a lingering foot injury. The Panthers need him to stay on the field, especially considering the lack of depth at the position.

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