5 players for the Panthers to pair with DT Derrick Brown in 2021
By Dean Jones
Leonard Williams – New York Giants
There should be more money available for the Carolina Panthers to spend in free agency. So bringing in a prominent veteran presence to partner with Derrick Brown is another option worth considering.
Leonard Williams is going to be a hot commodity on the market after playing a leading role behind the New York Giants’ resurgence on defense in recent weeks. And his level of production in their eye-popping win over the Seattle Seahawks was further proof of just what a tough proposition stopping the defensive lineman actually is.
Williams is playing the 2020 season on the franchise tag after he switched teams at MetLife Stadium via a rare trade between the Giants and Jets in 2019. His transition to the interior during the current campaign has been an inspired move by head coach Joe Judge and has them in pole position to secure a playoff berth by winning a dismal NFC East.
Acquiring someone proven like Williams won’t be cheap. Spotrac projects the former No. 6 overall selection to command an annual salary of $8 million on a three-year, $24.17 million contract on his next deal, which might be money well spent considering the player’s versatility.
A Williams-Brown partnership has the potential to be devastating and this potential move would also free up space on the edge for players like stud defensive end Brian Burns to do damage.