4 Panthers players who exceeded expectations at the Falcons

Efe Obada – Carolina Panthers DL

Things looked bleak for the Carolina Panthers when star defensive end Brian Burns was forced to sit out the second half after taking a big hit. Thankfully for the organization and the player, it didn’t result in a concussion. But it was a real shame when one considers just how well the 2019 first-round pick was playing prior to the blow.

Veteran defensive tackle Kawann Short is another who has suffered some problems staying healthy during the 2020 season and he was ruled out towards the end of the game, which was a substantial test of the Panthers’ depth across their defensive front.

Step forward, Efe Obada.

What the popular figure brought to the team might not have necessarily shown up on the stat sheet. But it was no less impressive to watch.

The Nigerian-born player was a powerful force when used either on the edge or even on the interior in pass-rushing scenarios. And it was his most promising performance of the campaign by some margin.

Obada was on the field for 51 percent of Carolina’s defensive snaps and made the most out of every down. He has all the physical attributes that could make him a force to be reckoned with once he finally put everything together, and this will do his chances of an increased role on the defensive line’s rotation the world of good.