Mac's Most Pivotal Panthers of 2019

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Photo credit Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images

As the Panthers start Training Camp, I can't get enough of the conversations about what needs to happen and who needs to step up this season.  We know the most important players, as they are every year, Cam Newton and Luke Kuechly.  But, after those two, what Panthers need to play big for this team to achieve their potential? Here's my list.....

1) Christian McCaffrey- ​ Sure Cam is the most important piece to the offense, but CMC is right up there too.  He is a three-down running back who affects the run game and the passing game and opens things up for others.  Plus, there is no backup anywhere close to him.

Christian McCaffrey shows his versatility on and off the field ----@run__cmc joins Hang Time with @samalipour to talk about his love of music and why today's running backs have to do it all. pic.twitter.com/307njKzEQM

— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) July 23, 2019

2) Greg Little- I know it sounds crazy to put a second-round rookie at No. 2, but if he can win the starting left tackle job and play well, this offensive line can be one of the best in the league

Greg Little: Tall (see video), loves football, can’t wait to put pads on, loves working against Brian Burns for the chess match of it all. They first met at The Opening in high school, where Little was the offensive line MVP after winning the most one-on-ones in pass pro. pic.twitter.com/MrMrBFw5wO

— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) May 11, 2019

3) Kawann Short- His impact on the game was severely diminished last year.   He had just 34 pressures and three sacks last year after averaging 56 pressures and eight sacks the previous three seasons. With Gerald McCoy joining him, it should help KK get back to causing havoc.

Carolina’s Kawann Short posted a 19.1% pressure rate when utilizing stunts last season! pic.twitter.com/5wnRebXzQY

— PFF (@PFF) June 14, 2019

4) Eric Reid- It is an inexperienced secondary who lost its leader in Mike Adams.  Eric Reid needs to become that guy in the DB room. I expect his performance to pick up too, now that he has experience in the system.

The #Panthers have signed S Eric Reid to a 3-year contract extension, per @MikeSilver pic.twitter.com/PJlfhC5U3E

— NFL Stats (@NFL_Stats) February 11, 2019

5) Greg Olsen- ​I am far from a doctor (although I do have doctor-Esque handwriting), so I have no idea if he will stay healthy. But, if he can and if he returns to form, that is going to make this offense even more dynamic. He has always been Cam's security blanket and he is a perfect fit for the quick passing game of Norv Turner. 

Panthers TE Greg Olsen says he’s been “100 percent” for months now and is ready to go in training camp after missing the better part of two seasons with broken bones in his feet. pic.twitter.com/3deIRSjgmH

— Steve Reed (@SteveReedAP) July 24, 2019