4 best late round gems the Carolina Panthers didn’t do enough with

A.J. Klein – Former Carolina Panthers LB

• 5th round (2013)

While A.J. Klein is certainly not a superstar by any stretch, one can’t argue with the production and longevity that he has had in the league to this point, especially as a fifth-round pick.

Klein was never really seen as a starter for a Carolina Panthers team that had just drafted franchise legend Luke Kuechly the year before and he fit well into the backup role. Always ready to step in when needed and limit the dropoff from the perennial All-Pro.

He even started six games during the 2015 season, helping bring the Panthers to their first Super Bowl. I can still remember how many times fans would chant for Kuechly after Klein made a tackle because of that No. 56 he wore and his similar traits.

During his time with the Panthers, Klein would appear in the majority of the team’s games but never got the chance to be a full-time starter. That is until the New Orleans Saints picked up the player in 2017 and he hasn’t gone back to being a backup since.

While Klein has never reached the 100 tackle milestone in his career, he has been a reliable and solid starter on either side of the line and can fill a hole in the middle if he has to. Being able to sit back and learn behind the tandem of Kuechly and Thomas Davis certainly helped develop those skills and to go from a backup afterthought to a full-time starter in the league is no small feat.

Klein may not go down in the annals of Panthers history but he was a vital part of the team and one they couldn’t have gotten as far without. He also shows just how far patience and work can take you in life.