5 Carolina Panthers with the most to prove in 2020

Carolina Panthers Player No. 4: Stephen Weatherly (DE)

The biggest free-agent acquired by the Carolina Panthers on the defensive side of the ball was Stephen Weatherly. The organization invested heavily in bringing the edge rusher from the Minnesota Vikings. And this finally represents a chance for the player to make a starting spot his own.

Weatherly performed well behind Pro Bowl duo Danielle Hunter and Everson Griffen. But there are some who doubt whether the player can make a more prominent role his own.

There is plenty to like about the sort of skills that Weatherly will bring to what appears a strong defensive front in Carolina next season. He is tremendous against the run and has enough pass-rushing moves in his arsenal to make a difference.

Weatherly is sure to get plenty of space to work in thanks to the presence of Brian Burns, Kawann Short, and Derrick Brown. But he will know that second-round pick Yetur Gross-Matos will be breathing down his neck if he fails to make the most out of this opportunity.

This will be another intriguing element that could spur Weatherly on to great things. He has worked tremendously hard to fight his way from a seventh-round pick into a probable starting position. And the Panthers have given him the platform to prove people wrong questioned his ability to be anything more than just a rotational figure on the roster.