4 boom-or-bust prospects the Panthers might gamble on in 2021
By Dean Jones
Joe Tryon – DE/OLB (Washington)
Another prospect whose stock has risen considerably since his pro day is Joe Tryon. The Washington edge rusher opted out of the 2020 campaign due to COVID-19 health concerns, but it’s clear he’s kept himself in sensational shape away from football with extra preparation for the all-important evaluation process.
Tryon might be one of the first names called on Day 2, which is something the Carolina Panthers should think twice about for a couple of reasons.
Firstly, the organization did a tremendous job picking up some proven pass-rushers in free agency that makes this less of a need than other positional groups. The likes of Haason Reddick, Denzel Perryman, and Morgan Fox should add a considerable amount to a front seven that also consists of Brian Burns, Derrick Brown, and second-rounder Yetur Gross-Matos.
This makes Tryon a luxury pick that the Panthers cannot afford at the present time.
Secondly, there is just no telling if the prospect is ready for the rigors of the next level. Tryon played 23 games over two seasons with the Huskies and recorded just nine sacks during this span. So teams should approach him with caution despite the outstanding physical attributes he brings to the table.