10 biggest Carolina Panthers draft steals of the last decade

Number 3

Taylor Moton – Carolina Panthers OT

• 2nd round (No. 62 overall) – 2017

There were a few eyebrows raised when the Carolina Panthers traded up to No. 62 overall in the 2017 NFL Draft and take an unfancied offensive tackle by the name of Taylor Moton. The Western Michigan product didn’t generate anything like the buzz of big school prospects during the evaluation process. So finding this relative diamond in the rough was a masterstroke in no uncertain terms.

Few linemen in the league can boast the sort of consistency Moton has displayed over the last three seasons. He was absolutely flawless against some of the most dominant pass-rushers the game has to offer in 2020 and this left the Panthers in no doubt that he was more than worthy of the franchise tag this offseason.

Hopefully, all parties can come to terms on a new deal before the deadline. One thing is for sure, Moton’s importance to the Panthers’ chances moving forward is undeniable at this juncture.

Number 2

Kawann Short – DT

• 2nd round (No. 44 overall) – 2013

Although his final two years in Carolina were blighted by injuries, that should not detract from what an exceptional performer Kawann Short was at the peak of his powers. The defensive tackle was a human wrecking ball during the mid-2010s on his way to Pro Bowl recognition, with the former Purdue man emerging as one of the NFL’s most feared players at the position.

Short had everything. He was big enough to stop the run and agile enough to get after the quarterback consistently. The Panthers haven’t been quite the same since some wear and tear began to show and they rightfully moved on from the player this offseason to save themselves around $11 million in cap space.

He will go down in folklore as one of the team’s best-ever defenders and hopefully, Derrick Brown can enjoy similar success throughout his career.

Number 1

Trai Turner – OG

• 3rd round (No. 92 overall) – 2014

Trai Turner’s production during his time with the Panthers was nothing short of exemplary, for the most part. The offensive lineman was taken in the third-round back in 2014 and immediately solidified himself as a reliable blocking option at a real position of need.

Turner made five Pro Bowl appearances and proved to be one of the best guards to ever suit up for the organization. He was traded to the Los Angeles Chargers in exchange for Russell Okung prior to the 2020 season, which was down in no small part to the money owed on his lucrative deal.

Things didn’t go according to plan for Turner due to injury in Los Angeles. Both he and Okung are looking for new teams just one year removed from the trade.