Carolina Panthers: Can Efe Obada take a leap forward in 2020?
By Dean Jones
The Carolina Panthers strengthened their defensive front significantly during the NFL Draft, but the franchise also has high hopes for a current roster member.
Efe Obada is heading into his third season with the Panthers and has shown some encouraging signs during his first two years in the NFL. The Nigerian-born defensive end will get a further chance to show what he is capable of after he was given a one-year extension worth $750,000 this offseason.
This represents a leap of faith from the Carolina front office regarding Obada. He performed well as a rotational player in 2018 and 2019. But more will be needed if he is going to carve out a long-term future with the franchise.
The move to a 4-3 base defense next season is predominantly down to the formidable strength of their defensive front. The team has Kawann Short back healthy and also brought in Auburn’s stud defensive tackle Derrick Brown with the No. 7 overall selection in the NFL Draft.
Add to this the draft selections of Yetur Gross-Matos and Bravvion Roy, together with the free-agent acquisition of Stephen Weatherly from the Minnesota Vikings, and the Panthers defensive line could now be the strongest part of their team.
Obada can play a huge part in that. He has the versatility that head coach Matt Rhule is looking for in all his defensive players and you will not find a more committed player on the field.
General manager Marty Hurney also expects Obada to contribute more in 2020.
"“I think there is flexibility there in his versatility. I think that Efe has a very good knack inside as a three-technique as far as getting penetration so not only can he play outside at end but he can move inside in sub (situations) and he’s done that and done it well. And Efe is a guy that every day, he comes in and you get his full effort every day – 100 miles an hour. He wants to get better. He improves steadily every week and I think he’s ready to make another jump here. He has versatility up and down the defensive line.”"
Next season has the potential to be the most important of Obada’s career. How he handles the additional pressure will go a long way to determining whether or not he could have a sustainable career as an NFL starter.