3 backups pushing for serious game time with the Panthers in 2020
By Dean Jones
Efe Obada – DL
It is clear than the Carolina Panthers’ coaching staff has already fallen in love with Efe Obada. The formidable defensive lineman has been a standout contributor at training camp. And he can often be seen working out before anyone else before official team drills get underway.
This year could be a big one for Obada. His supreme physical attributes make him an intriguing contributor in 2020. And more experience in the starting rotation could bring the best out of a player who is still a little raw after starting football considerably later than his peers.
Obada has the size and athleticism to do some real damage either on the edge or on the interior. This versatility is something that Matt Rhule is keen to get the most out of. And he recently stated that the coaching staff is examining different ways to get the Nigerian-born lineman involved next season.
The player has bulked up considerably this offseason in a bid to improve his production. Interior pass-rushing is something Carolina’s NFC South rival New Orleans Saints struggled with consistently during their shock home playoff loss at the hands of the Minnesota Vikings. And this is an option well worth utilizing by defensive coordinator Phil Snow in their divisional matchups.
It is hard not to get behind a story like Obada’s. His infectious personality is matched by a hard-working mentality that has seen him rise from obscurity to a player who is a prime candidate for more game time next season.