Ranking the top 10 Panthers players from the 2020 season
By Dean Jones
. D.J. MOORE. 3. player. 87. .
D.J. Moore – Carolina Panthers WR
Considering D.J. Moore had some worrying chemistry issues with quarterback Teddy Bridgewater this season, the wide receiver further enhanced his status as one of the NFL’s brightest young players at the position. He secured 1,000 yards receiving for the second straight year and there is just no telling what his numbers would have looked like had there been some better distribution coming his way from the person under center.
The time is fast approaching for the Carolina Panthers to give Moore the pay rise he deserves. This might not arrive this offseason with the salary-cap restrictions, but the former first-round pick’s fifth-year option is going to be activated which will give them some additional time to work out a long-term deal.
2. player. 87. . . . TAYLOR MOTON
Taylor Moton – Carolina Panthers OT
Taylor Moton is elite and now is the time for Carolina to pay him accordingly. The Panthers cannot let one of the NFL’s best edge protectors walk out of the door, so new general manager Scott Fitterer would be wise to give the right tackle whatever he wants.
The way Moton dealt with some of the best in the business this season was extraordinary. He played every snap for the Panthers in 2020 and there is no denying how vital the Western Michigan product is to their chances of becoming a playoff contender once again.
player. 87. . . . BRIAN BURNS. 1
Brian Burns – Carolina Panthers DE
Brian Burns‘ transition from rotational rookie to the team’s No. 1 pass-rushing couldn’t have gone much better. The defensive end was a constant force during the season and if the player can make even more strides in the coming months, then the sky is the limit for him in 2021.
Simply put, Burns has everything. The hard work he put in during the offseason enabled him to become a dominant three-down edge player who could make a difference in any situation, with his explosive ability there for all to see.
Once Burns figures out how to finish off plays a little more efficiently, he will be almost unstoppable. The former first-round pick has a phenomenal campaign and he was Carolina’s best overall player by a considerable margin.