Carolina Panthers: Stealing a player from every NFC South rival

Carolina Panthers: Steal from Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Shaquil Barrett – (OLB)

The Carolina Panthers have some fierce pass-rushing tools at their disposal next season. This appears to be a real area of strength and one that has the potential to turn around a unit that suffered significant struggles in 2019.

That being said, if the organization could “steal” one player from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, it would have to be Shaquil Barrett. The outside edge rusher was arguably the league’s best at getting to the quarterback last season. And the fact he is only just entering his prime makes him an even scarier proposition going forward.

Barrett ended a memorable campaign with 19.5 sacks, 45 solo tackles, six forced fumbles, two pass deflections, and one interception. This was outstanding production from a player who was in his first year as a Tampa Bay player following a free-agent move from the Denver Broncos on a one-year deal with just $1 million in base salary.

This prompted Tampa Bay to put the franchise tag on Barrett this offseason, meaning the player’s salary will skyrocket to $15.82 million. If he continues this outstanding level of play next time around. It is sure to come with a substantial payday either with the Bucs or another franchise.

Putting Barrett opposite Shaq Thompson at outside linebacker would be a mouth-watering proposition for the Panthers. With all the other talent currently situated in the front-seven, it could be the NFL’s best.