After a third-place finish in the NFC South last season, the Panthers might have to look internally for players to step up, but who can it be?
We talk a lot about a team’s starting lineup in the NFL. After all, that’s who we see on the field the most, making plays and scoring points. They are supposed to be the “bread and butter” of a team, right? But what happens when star players get injured, suspended or occasionally, decide they don’t want to play football anymore? (see Buffalo)
Carolina does what every team tries to accomplish by putting quality players in the second and third string just in case one of these scenarios comes to life. Let’s take a look at a few standouts just waiting to prove their worthiness.
Ian Thomas, tight end
Thomas joined the team through the draft in the fourth round of the 2018 draft. He has better stats than the average NFL backup tight end due to the lingering injuries of Greg Olsen. Thomas recorded 36 receptions, 333 yards, and two touchdowns in the 2018 season. The Indiana University product has proven to be a solid backup and eventual starter when Olsen decides to hang up his cleats.
Efe Obada, defensive end
In 2017, Carolina signed Obada through the NFL’s International Player Pathway program, which guaranteed him a position on the roster.
Obada was the first international player to make a 53-man roster from the NFL’s aforementioned program, although he was previously signed to the practice squads of Dallas, Kansas City, and Atlanta.
Conditions for this program meant he was ineligible for promotion to the 53-man roster during the 2017 regular season. In September of 2017, he was waived by the team and then re-signed to the practice squad. However, in January 2018 he signed a contract reserve/future contract.
After playing well in the preseason, Obada made the Panthers roster. In week 3, he burst into his role in his first regular season game where he recorded one sack and one interception. He was overwhelmingly chosen to be awarded the game ball and later was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week. At the end of his first regular season, he totaled eight combined tackles and two sacks.
In January 2019, Obada signed a one-year contract extension with the Panthers.
DJ Moore, wide receiver
Moore came to Carolina as the 24th pick in the first round of the 2018 draft.
In June 2018, Moore was signed to a four-year contract worth $11.2 million with a $6.2 million signing bonus. He played his first game in the season opener against the Dallas Cowboys. In his second game, he caught a 51-yard touchdown pass against the Atlanta Falcons. His big breakout game came against the Detroit Lions as he had seven receptions for 157 yards and one touchdown. His total stats for the season were 55 receptions, 788 yards, and two touchdowns.
Aside from these players, and a few others, Carolina still lacks some depth on their roster and they will need to address several positions in free agency as well as in the upcoming draft.
