Jets fans may not like what Panthers expert has to say about Trevin Wallace

The New York Jets may have raised some eyebrows when they acquired former Carolina Panthers linebacker and third-round pick Trevin Wallace via waivers, but those who have seen the former Kentucky linebacker up close will be holding their breath for him to break out.

Dean Jones, who oversees Cat Crave, FanSided's Carolina Panthers site, doesn't have many good things to say about Wallace after watching him up close for two seasons. In Jones' opinion, New York added someone who needs so much fine-tuning in pursuing ball carriers and tackling properly before he can be unleashed on the field in Jets green.

Aside from a few flashes in coverage, Wallace's two years in Carolina were underwhelming," Jones said. "He's positionally flawed, failing to identify the correct angles in pursuit. He gets lost in traffic too much, and his tackling technique is also inconsistent...Perhaps a fresh start on the Jets will benefit Wallace, but there is a significant amount of hard work ahead."

New York Jets LB Trevin Wallace ripped by Carolina Panthers expert

Jones noted that Panthers mastermind Dan Morgan does not give up on his former NFL Draft picks easily. Carolina gave Wallace a chance to win a starting linebacker role next to high-priced free-agent signing Devin Lloyd, and it was all but earmarked for him. However, he failed to put distance between himself and former seldom-sued Jets backup Claudin Cherelus.

When the Panthers signed veteran Bobby Okereke, it was clear they were done with Wallace despite him wearing the green dot last season and starting on a Panthers defense that was vastly improved from the prior season. However, if you can't thoroughly beat out Claudin Cherelus in an open competition as a third-round pick, that's concerning enough.

On the one hand, many of Wallace's problems were technique-based, suggesting that proper coaching or the right scheme could help him improve. On the other hand, it is quite the damning indictment that a player selected before Pro Bowl safety Calen Bullock two years ago was cut before even getting to start his third season.

The requisite talent to be a starter in the NFL may just not be there. Being a trusted backup, however, is different, as Wallace is no longer burdened with the expectations of being a high draft pick.

Trevin Wallace could become a solid backup linebacker for the New York Jets

Luckily for the Jets, Wallace will start his career as a backup, fighting with fifth-round pick Kiko Mauigoa and special teams ace Marcelino McCrary-Ball for the No. 3 linebacker role behind Demario Davis and Jamien Sherwood. As Jones and other Panthers analysts will attest, his out-of-control style and poor instincts will need to be ironed out by Aaron Glenn.

However, Wallace is still just 23 years old and is a rare athlete for the position. Pro Football Focus also graded his coverage favorably last season despite the ups and downs. Wallace is an NFL-level player, though it appears he needs a ton of seasoning before he is ready for primetime.

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