Overview
- Head Coach: Ron Rivera
- Defensive Coordinator: Sean Mcdermott
- Defensive Back Coach: Steve Wilks and Richard Rodgers
- Base Defense Scheme: 4-3
- Transactions: CB T.J. Heath and Charles Tillman signed
- Draft Picks:
Projected Starters
| CornerBack # 1: | Josh Norman | |
| CornerBack # 2: | Charles Tillman | |
| Strong Safety : | Roman Harper | |
| Free Safety : | Tre Boston | |
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The Numbers
Total Fantasy Points Allowed to WR: 359.52 Average Fantasy Points Per game against to WR: 22.47 Total Receiving Touchdowns Allowed: 17 Total Receiving Yards Allowed:2,581 Average Receiving yards per game against: 161.31
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Strengths
The Carolina Panthers Defensive backfield got a lot deeper from 2014 with the signing of Charles Tillman. Along with that signing positive play of Josh Norman and Bene Benwikere towards the end of the season means this unit is heading in the right direction in 2015. Josh Norman is definitely the stud of this unit after taking over as the starter for Melvin White early in 2014 he showed he has the capability to be a playmaker in the defensive backfield. The positive news continues to come in from mini camp with secondary coach Steve Wilks speaking highly of him to the Charlotte Observer.
“He’s on the verge, in my opinion, of being one of the top corners in the National Football League,” secondary coach Steve Wilks said. “He’s gotten to the point where he understands the details of the game. He’s been a student of the game. He’s letting the game come to him. He’s not trying to do things outside the defense, and it’s really showing in his play.”
The other cornerback position should be manned by Charles “Peanut” Tillman along with Bene Benwikere. Peanut is coming back from his second season ending injury in 2014. He hopes to return to form but at 34 years old his best days could be behind him. Bene Benwikere came on strong at the end of last year grading out as a top 15 cover corner according to ProFootballFocus through the last 4 weeks of the regular season. If he takes another step forward the Panthers will feel very comfortable at their depth at the cornerback positions. Especially in nickel and dime packages where they look like they could have 3 or even 4 capable cover corners.
Weaknesses
Tre Boston is another defensive back for the Panthers that finished the last 4 weeks of the regular season as the teams new starter. He took over the starting free safety position. He definitely was the most rocky of the new starters and got torched a few times in their divisional round game against the Seahawks. Only time will tell if he can continue to round into form but he would have to be the weakest part of this defensive backfield heading into the 2015 season. Roman Harper should be the starting strong safety. Known for his pass rushing ability, we should see him trying to help this unit out by pressuring the corner as much as we should see him in coverage. If we see him in coverage a lot he will definitely be a liability.
Overall Outlook
Overall the Panthers have to be pleased with where they are at as a defensive backfield in 2015. They had a number of young guys get significant reps down the stretch in 2014 and most played better then expected. Starting off the 2015 season we will have to monitor if they are taking another step forward. If they are then this could be a unit to avoid as this defense could put them in position to win a lot of games in 2015.
