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Carolina Panthers: Stock Watch after Preseason Week 1

By Christian Candeloro

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - DECEMBER 30: Kyle Allen #7 of the Carolina Panthers runs with the ball during the first half against the New Orleans Saints during a NFL game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 30, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - DECEMBER 30: Kyle Allen #7 of the Carolina Panthers runs with the ball during the first half against the New Orleans Saints during a NFL game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 30, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – AUGUST 08: Taylor Heinicke #6 of the Carolina Panthers carries the ball against Jonathon Mincy #31 of the Chicago Bears during the second half of a preseason at Soldier Field on August 08, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – AUGUST 08: Taylor Heinicke #6 of the Carolina Panthers carries the ball against Jonathon Mincy #31 of the Chicago Bears during the second half of a preseason at Soldier Field on August 08, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images) /

Stock Down: Taylor Heinicke

Heinicke was always going to be a long shot to make this roster, with Newton back (hopefully) healthy and a tight competition between younger players in Allen and Grier ahead of him. He’s the NFL veteran of the group but has never played exceptionally in any location. He played in six games last season and was underwhelming, throwing one touchdown and three interceptions.

His injury during Week 16 opened the door for Allen last season and to make the team he would likely have to play flawlessly or have injuries ahead of him.

Well, Heinicke seriously underwhelmed again in the first preseason game. Coming in late in the game, he finished just 4-9 for 35 yards.

With how well Allen played and Grier showing enough to see why he was the Panthers’ third round pick, it’s a bad sign for Heinicke.

Best case scenario for Heinicke is that he can show enough in the last few preseason games to be picked up by another league team as a back-up. There are plenty of teams in the league that could use a serviceable veteran like Heinicke in their quarterback room.

He’ll need to improve against Buffalo next week for that to happen however.

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