Panthers: Team meeting with Alabama’s Da’Ron Payne before Draft

The Carolina Panthers are meeting with a defensive lineman on Tuesday…

The Carolina Panthers are continuing to bring in prospects as the draft approaches. Their latest visit on Tuesday shows their commitment to improving the defensive side of the football. Alabama defensive lineman Da’Ron Payne visited the Panthers as they continue to explore their options.

Payne had a career year for the Crimson Tide in 2017. In 14 games, he recorded 53 tackles, a sack, and three pass deflections.

More from Cat Crave

• Ranking the top-five QB prospects the Panthers could draft in 2023
• 4 remaining Carolina Panthers cap crunches after Damien Wilson release
• Could Duce Staley help Carolina Panthers land Jamaal Williams in 2023?
• How much could the Carolina Panthers afford to offer Lamar Jackson?
• 4 Panthers rumors to emerge from 2023 NFL Scouting Combine

In reading his scouting report on NFL.com, this excerpt stood out.

"Offenses simply shouldn’t run at him. Eats blocks and keeps linebackers clean. Has to be schemed against. Hands and feet are full synced. Gifted athlete who showed marked improvement as rusher. Increased pressures from 15 to 27 this year. Fluid mover with above-average range to chase. Utilizes slap/arm-over to work around blocker’s edge. Can walk interior linemen back into pocket with bullrush. Considered one of the most respected leaders during Saban era."

Considering the talent at the running back position the NFC South possesses, the Panthers need a player who can instill fear into the heart of running backs. The fact that he has to be schemed against is crucial too. The Panthers have talented players on the defensive side of the football. If an opposing coach plans around Payne, that can free up others. If he can get into the backfield and force the pocket to collapse on the quarterback, he can make the Panthers’ defense even scarier.

His best game of the season came on September 30 against Ole Miss. In that contest, he recorded seven tackles (one solo) and half a sack. The Crimson Tide routed the Rebels 66-3 in a game that was never really close.

It is interesting that the Carolina Panthers continue to have a focus on the defensive side of the football. There are going to be a few departures in the coming years. This could very well attest to the fact that the Panthers want to get younger and faster defensively. Whatever the case may be, they are building the right way.

Continuing to add depth through the draft and building the team can only benefit them in the long run. Adding a veteran like Dontari Poe to the mix can only help things as well. Having veterans on your defense (Julius Peppers, Poe) is a tremendous asset. Learning from those two guys especially will be a huge boost to the younger players.

Next: Panthers Draft Targets: Wide Receiver

I think Payne would be an asset to the Carolina Panthers. He is projected as a Round 1 prospect, so the team’s chances of getting him are slim. Even still as a football fan, he is certainly a player to watch.