4 Panthers role players who need to show out vs. the Saints
By Dean Jones
Efe Obada – Carolina Panthers DL
Another who got a season-high in reps last time out was Efe Obada. The defensive lineman has grown in stature as the campaign’s gone on and with Brian Burns unlikely to participate due to injury, another big effort will be needed from the Nigerian-born star.
Obada’s future with the Carolina Panthers looked bleak earlier this season. He was waived before being brought back onto their practice squad and this increasing uncertainty surrounding his future is clearly a challenge the player has risen to.
His level of production this season has been highly encouraging. Obada’s versatility to play on the edge or as a three-technique defensive tackle is something that’s really benefitted the Panthers and might already have been enough to convince the coaching staff he’s worth keeping around.
Obada has 4.5 sacks, 17 tackles, four tackles for loss, 14 quarterback hits, two fumble recoveries, and 17 pressures this season. This has come from just 39 percent of defensive snaps and if he can end the campaign on a positive note, it’ll do his chances of an extended stay in Carolina the world of good.
It’s clear that the coaching staff thinks the world of Obada, who is an easy man to root for. Showing out against the Saints would be another feather in his cap and might make all the difference in Carolina’s pursuit of victory.