What can Weatherly bring to the Panthers defense in 2020?

The Carolina Panthers boosted their defensive front with the signing of Stephen Weatherly, but what will the player bring to the franchise in 2020?

The Carolina Panthers pulled off something of a free agent coup with the acquisition of Stephen Weatherly from the Minnesota Vikings.

A former seventh-round pick out of Vanderbilt, Weatherly worked hard to become a part of the Vikings’ defensive line rotation and performed well when presented with an opportunity.  This was aided by the presence of Danielle Hunter and Everson Griffen, so it will be interesting to see what the player can do in the absence of the Pro Bowl duo.

This represents a low-risk, high-reward pick-up for the Panthers, who needed someone with Weatherly’s versatility on their defense. The player has developed his skills year by year and he is expected to take another leap forward with more time to make plays on the field.

He is also heading into the prime of his career with little wear and tear on his body. The four-year pro is now being paid in accordance with his talent and it will be up to Weatherly to prove that he is worth the investment.

All signs point to Weatherly’s time in Carolina being successful if he can adjust to his new surroundings right away. The NFC South is going to be an unforgiving place for defenders who are underperforming next season. How the player fits in will go a long way to determining his success.

So what can the Panthers expect from Weatherly in 2020?