After giving up an average of 29+ points per game in the worst defensive season in franchise history, the Panthers are essentially starting over on defense. Â After selecting a defensive tackle and EDGE in the first two rounds, the Panthers traded up and selected safety Jeremy Chinn out of Southern Illinois. Â At 6’3, 221 pounds, Chinn has been described as a safety/linebacker hybrid with excellent deep coverage skills – something desperately needed in Carolina.
Trading with Seattle to close out the second round, general manager Marty Hurney said that they felt Chinn was too great of a player to take the risk of him not being available at the Panthers’ original pick at #69. Â Chinn was a two-time first-team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference honoree and was a consensus All-American in 2019 with versatility that could find him competing for a starting job.
During his time with the Salukis, Chinn recorded 243 total tackles, 13 interceptions, 31 passes defensed, six forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries. Â To snag Chinn at #64, the Panthers had to give up their third (#69) and fifth (#148) picks.
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