4 Panthers role-players who must be re-signed in 2021
By Dean Jones
Which Carolina Panthers role-players should be re-signed in 2021?
Although the Carolina Panthers have a solid foundation from which to build a possible postseason contender next season and beyond, they do need another strong period of recruitment in 2021. This is a possible scenario with more money available in free agency and there are also plenty of exciting prospects coming out in the NFL Draft next spring.
The Carolina Panthers have a well-deserved bye week upcoming and just four games remaining this season. General manager Marty Hurney and head coach Matt Rhule will already be devising a plan regarding players of interest, with decisions on current personnel also set to play a leading role in their thought process.
There appears little doubt that individuals such as Taylor Moton and Curtis Samuel should take top priority. Both are incredibly important to Carolina’s chances of success moving forward and even though keeping them around won’t be cheap, it’s something they should move heaven and earth to secure.
Others on the roster a little further down the depth chart might also earn themselves an extended stay with the franchise. Here are four role-players who the Panthers must re-sign next spring.
Player No. 1
Efe Obada – Carolina Panthers DL
It looked a few weeks ago as if Efe Obada might be a prime candidate to head out of the door this offseason. But his increase in production has left plenty of reasons to be encouraged regarding a longer-term stay with the organization.
Obada has 2.5 sacks over the last three games and was on the field for 37 percent of Carolina’s defensive snaps at the Vikings. This takes his tally to 3.5 takedowns on the season in addition to 11 quarterback hits and 12 pressures in 2020.
His ability to generate consistent pressure on the interior is a rare commodity that the Panthers should try and keep hold of. It’s not going to cost the earth to keep Obada around, which would allow additional funds to be spent elsewhere.