Generally speaking, Carolina Panthers general manager Dan Morgan has done an excellent job of building up his team's roster the last few years. He's done it with a combination of good draft picks and solid free-agent signings.
Morgan's had some misses, though. And while there's still time to turn it around, running back Trevor Etienne appears to be on his way into that territory.
A fourth-round pick from a season ago, Etienne has yet to get much of a look on offense and hasn't impressed on special teams, either. ESPN's Bill Barnwell, in reviewing the running back class of 2025, says he hasn't delivered on Carolina's investment as of yet:
Trevor Etienne just hasn't played very much for the Panthers, touching the ball more often as a returner (59
touches) than as an offensive player (32). He wasn't great as a rookie returner, too, and after coming off injured reserve this season, he has split time with David Moore and Anthony Tyus III on punt and kick return duties. The fourth round is a pretty significant investment for a special teamer, and I'm not sure Etienne has delivered on that shot from the Panthers as of yet.
This past Sunday, Etienne registered six rushing attempts—one off his career high—for eight yards in garbage time against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He also took a backseat on punt return duties to Moore, who pulled off one of the most egregious muffs you'll see—so perhaps Etienne will be back on that beat soon enough.
Anything can happen, and it's still relatively early in Etienne's career. But it's going to be difficult to prove he belongs at this level unless he gets more reps.
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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: ESPN: 4th-rounder hasn't delivered on Panthers' investment yet
