Preseason Games Will 'Tell the Story' on Where the Panthers Stand at Outside Linebacker

Competition for a starting spot is ramping up at outside linebacker. Who will take it?

One of the biggest questions marks remaining on the Carolina Panthers roster is who will emerge as "the guy" at outside linebacker, opposite of Brian Burns. 

Marquis Haynes Sr., Yetur Gross-Matos, Amaré Barno, Kobe Jones, and third-round draft pick DJ Johnson are all vying for that spot while the Panthers' front office continues to browse the market for external options.

"We like it, but we always need to add more," Panthers GM Scott Fitterer said of the talent at that spot. "You can never have enough pass rush. If there's a pass rusher out there that upgrades our roster, we're going to pursue that. That's just our style. We're aggressive and we're always looking to add."

With seven practices in the books, the coaching staff is starting to get a feel for what they have at the position, but they are still a long ways away from naming a starter.

"There's some great competition there," said defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero. "Yetur [Gross-Matos] is doing a great job, getting better. DJ [Johnson] is coming along. [Amare] Barno is coming along. Kobe [Jones] is doing a good job. As we get into camp and get more padded practices, get through some preseason games I think it will tell more of the story. But I really love the progression of those guys but we need somebody to step up and that's a fact."

When asked if he believes there is someone on this roster capable of stepping up as the answer versus having to bring in someone Evero responded, "Yeah, I mean we feel good about where our guys are at right now. We love our roster, especially at that position. There's going to be great competition for that spot and it's not going to be just one guy. You just can't have two rushers in this league, you got to have multiple guys that can get the job done. We feel good about where the guys are going though."

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