5 lively outsiders for the Panthers first round pick in 2021
By Dean Jones
Kwity Paye – DE/OLB (Michigan)
The Carolina Panthers did improve their ability to generate pressure in opposing backrields during the second half of the season. But it’s hard to look at their overall collective contribution and not think that more will be needed moving forward.
Scott Fitterer is a keen believer in building from the inside out, which could mean they go for a defensive lineman with their first-round pick for the third straight year. Considering the success Brian Burns and Derrick Brown have had during their brief NFL careers, and it wouldn’t be the worst idea in the world by any stretch of the imagination.
If the Panthers choose to go in this particular direction, the Kwity Paye would be high on their list of possibilities. The Michigan edge rusher has some exceptional hysical attributes to call upon and there is a lot to like about the way he’s applied himself during his time with the Wolverines.
Paye has the sort of explosiveness that gets fans out of their seats. He is incredibly hard to stop when firing on all cylinders and it appears as if the player is just scratching the surface regarding his potential.
Adding Paye to a defensive front that contains Burns, Brown, and Yetur Gross-Matos has endless potential that could wreak havoc for years to come.