Carolina Panthers rookies anticipate making pro debuts

CAROLINA PANTHERS

Carolina Panthers cornerback Chau Smith-Wade, a fifth-round draft pick, is set to make his NFL debut Sunday against the New Orleans Saints.

Chau Smith-Wade sat calmly at his locker, focused on his cell phone. The Carolina Panthers rookie cornerback didn’t look nervous.

On Sunday, the fifth-round draft pick is slated to make his NFL debut as the rebuilding Panthers open the season at the New Orleans Saints.

Smith-Wade could play a prominent role. Listed as newcomer Mike Jackson’s backup, Smith-Wade likely will serve as the primary nickelback when the Saints flood the field with receivers.

Smith-Wade didn’t seem overwhelmed by the prospect of facing Saints veteran quarterback Derek Carr and multi-tool Taysom Hill, who has lined up as a slot receiver during the preseason.

Smith-Wade had other, more personal, thoughts.

“I’ve dreamt of this since I was a kid,” he said. “To be able to play in an actual NFL game, it’s everything.”

Smith-Wade likely will not be the lone first-year player that coach Dave Canales will lean on Sunday. Ja’Tavion Sanders, fresh off earning his coveted No. 0 jersey, should receive significant snaps with the top two tight ends injured. Cornerback Shemar Bartholomew remains an intriguing waiver-wire prospect.

Here’s a look at three key rookies and how they are handling their NFL debuts:

Shemar Bartholomew

The undrafted rookie from Georgia Southern instantly became the hot name among NFL general managers. During cut-down day, Bartholomew was released by the New York Jets, setting off a string of calls, but

Panthers general manager Dan Morgan was in prime position. As the top waiver-wire claimant through Week 3, Carolina nabbed the 24-year-old prospect, beating out the Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers and Saints.

Of the more than 1,000 hopefuls who were cut Aug. 27, Bartholomew was the lone player to receive four claims, according to NFL Network.

“It was great that, you know, they really wanted me to get here and I’m happy to be here and just thankful for the opportunity,” Bartholomew said.

The Panthers had a good look at the 6-foot-1, 200-pounder during the teams’ training camp joint practice on Aug. 15 and preseason matchup two days later at Bank of America Stadium. In three preseason outings with the Jets, Bartholomew recorded an 85.2 coverage grade by Pro Football Focus.

“I can do physical (coverage), can run, you know, I love the ball,” he said.

Ja’Tavion Sanders

From the moment Sanders was drafted, he focused on earning a digit just recently made available by the NFL. Brian Burns became the first to don 0 last season.

The No. 85 Sanders was initially issued after being selected in April was fine, he said. But Sanders was vocal about the number he wore his final two seasons at Texas. Sanders understood the situation.

“I feel like every rookie got to earn their number," Sanders said. "I knew I wasn’t going to have 0 coming in, so I’ve already had that mindset knowing what I got to do to come in and put the work in day in, day out to earn that number.”

Sanders displayed his new digit Monday, and Canales spoke of the pride he felt in awarding it.

“I was really glad to get that moment for J.T.,” he said. “To just feel like, hey, we’re counting on you.”

When Sanders learned of the number switch, “he was fired up,” Canales said. “The message to him was, your work, everything you’ve done every day since you got here, applying yourself, that doesn’t change. Continue to stay on this progression of growing."

In three preseason appearances, Sanders, 21, caught three passes for 35 yards. If Tommy Tremble (hamstring) and Ian Thomas (calf) remain sidelined, Sanders could play a bigger than expected role.

When drafted, Sanders said he “told everybody I’m trying to be the next Greg Olsen here. I’m trying to be the new face of the offense for sure.”

His mission starts Sunday at Caesars Superdome.

Chau Smith-Wade

A fifth-round draft pick, Smith-Wade spent most of the offseason program lining up at the nickel position. But after projected CB2 Dane Jackson suffered a “significant hamstring” injury that will keep him out “six-ish” weeks, the former Washington State standout received extended training camp snaps as an outside corner.

"I always go to every game, every practice with the mindset of getting better and with that comes the opportunity,” Smith-Wade said after the Panthers’ 15-12 preseason loss to the Jets. “I'm the same way every day ... just go get it, go get better every day.”

At 5-foot-11, 176 pounds, Smith-Wade is only bigger than 5-10 Troy Hill among his seven positional peers. The new regime has targeted bigger corners, indicated by five of their six most recent additions have all measured at least 6-1.

Smith-Wade didn’t sound concerned. He’s confident he’ll fit in once he discards the inevitable pregame jitters.

“It’s just football,” Smith-Wade said. “I’m going to go out there and give it all that I got. I would say I’m nervous, (but) I’m more excited than nervous.”

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