Carolina Panthers stock watch: Ja’Tavion Sanders, young defenders gain momentum vs. Jets

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The Carolina Panthers are 0-2 in the preseason following Saturday’s 15-12 loss to the New York Jets at Bank of America Stadium.

And while the point production in the game was disappointing, the Panthers sat all of their starters on offense and defense, so the final score was largely meaningless. But the individual performances of bottom-of-the-roster players in the loss will factor into the team’s decision making ahead of the Aug. 27 cut-down deadline.

With training camp essentially done , the preseason is the last real test for players on the roster bubble . Those hoping to make the 53-man roster will need to take advantage of their remaining opportunities.

Just like in the preseason opener against New England , a handful of players boosted their stock against the Jets. There were also some letdown performances for players looking to earn bigger roles or jobs this summer.

Let’s take a look at who helped and hurt their stock on Saturday against New York:

Stock up

DB Demani Richardson: The undrafted safety has emerged over the past week. After a two-interception performance on Monday in practice, Richardson made the Panthers’ play of the game on Saturday with a massive interception. Richardson picked off Jets fourth-string QB Adrian Martinez and turned up the field for a gain of 28 yards. The defensive highlight led to a 34-yard field goal in the third quarter for Carolina, tying the game at 6-6. Richardson also finished with two tackles.

LB Claudin Cherelus: The second-year linebacker was all over the field on Saturday. He started opposite third-round pick Trevin Wallace at inside linebacker, and he made his presence felt on defense and special teams. Cherelus produced a stop on a punt return and collected five tackles on defense. He is in position to win the fourth inside linebacker spot in a battle with seventh-round pick Michael Barrett and 2023 holdovers, Tae Davis and Chandler Wooten.

TE Ja’Tavion Sanders: The fourth-round pick had a nice night as a receiver and a blocker. He made an excellent play on a catch-and-run reception of 14 yards in the first quarter. Sanders caught the pass wide open and then mowed his way down the field for a first-down gain. He also caught a pass for 8 yards later in the first half. It was a nice outing for the much-hyped prospect.

DE T.J. Smith: The journeyman defender is having a strong summer. He produced his second sack in as many games in the second quarter. The tackle for loss went for a net negative of 15 yards for the Jets. Later, Smith batted a ball in the air that was nearly picked off by cornerback Chau Smith-Wade. Smith has been one of the big risers of camp, and his preseason performance has only added weight to his workout output.

Stock down

OT Ricky Lee: The second-year lineman was forced to line up at right tackle next to Mason Brooks, who just arrived Thursday, at right guard. Lee gave up a sack in the second quarter, which mirrored his early performance in the preseason opener against New England. Lee was spun around by Jets pass rusher Will McDonald, who brought down Carolina QB Jack Plummer for a 5-yard loss. Lee nearly gave up another sack in the third quarter, but Plummer was able to get out of the grip of the defender and threw to running back Dillon Johnson for a minimal gain.

QB Jack Plummer: The former Louisville QB hasn’t produced a touchdown drive in two preseason games. While he completed 11 of 18 passes on Saturday, Plummer just looked over-matched in the pocket all evening. Yes, the offensive line was a mix-and-match unit of bottom-dweller talent, but Plummer did little with the ball when given an opportunity. He finished with 42 passing yards on the night. He was sacked once.

WR Michael Strachan: The practice-squad holdover has become a forgotten man on the wide receiver depth chart. With Terrace Marshall Jr. and Jonathan Mingo making consistent plays this summer, Strachan has fallen into the background and done little to bounce out. He was flagged for offensive pass interference in the fourth quarter and held without a catch.