Versatile 2nd-year DB named Panthers' 'biggest surprise player' heading into 2025 season
ESPN's NFL Nation crew recently named the biggest surprise player for each team at this point of the offseason. David Newton took on the Panthers, and offered up second-year defensive back Chau Smith-Wade.
Newton writes:
It wasn't just obvious to sideline observers, it was obvious to teammates that the 2024 fifth-round pick out of Washington State had a stellar offseason and will be a factor in 2025. "Man, I think he's been the most impressive player,'' Pro Bowl cornerback Jaycee Horn said.
Smith-Wade's ability to play corner, nickel and safety makes him valuable to a young defense trying to rebuild after finishing last in the NFL a year ago. "Chau took advantage of an opportunity,'' coach Dave Canales said. "He made tackles. He had an opportunity on an interception, and he made it.''
Smith-Wade may have quite an opportunity ahead of him in this Carolina secondary, which is rather thin outside the likes of cornerbacks Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson and safety Tre'von Moehrig. The unit's current depth is largely built off of young and unproven commodities—including Shemar Bartholomew, Akayleb Evans, MJ Devonshire, Demani Richardson, 2025 fourth-round pick Lathan Ransom and six undrafted rookies.
Positional versatility could also play to the advantage of Smith-Wade—who, as Newton noted, can line up at three different spots for the Panthers. But most of his work, like it did in his rookie campaign, will probably come from the slot—where he recorded 228 of his 299 defensive snaps.
2024 saw Smith-Wade finish up with 39 combined tackles, an interception and a forced fumble over 14 games.
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