Young players on the rise

The Panthers have taken a longer look at second-year defensive back Kenny Robinson lately, and they’ve liked what they’ve seen.

Panthers head coach Matt Rhule said Robinson has turned himself into a “legitimate safety” this season, and mentioned him as one of the young players “really ascending with the reps.”

There’s an opening for him to take on bigger role in the future, based on moves that could happen this offseason.

Veteran starter Juston Burris is among their 22 unrestricted free agents this offseason, and as he’s struggled with a groin injury late in the year, the door has been opened for Robinson to get more work.

Robinson has played over half the snaps in each of the last two games, though the secondary has been thrown into the blender lately with all the injuries and COVID-19 cases.

If the Panthers make aggressive moves in free agency, they’ll need some of their own draft picks to play larger roles next year, just to balance the books. And as Robinson gets more comfortable in this defense, there’s an opening for him to be one of those guys.