5 sneaky Panthers options your fantasy football team needs in 2021

Carolina Panthers DST

Having a reliable defense capable of putting up big numbers week in, week out can be the difference between success and failure in fantasy football. The Carolina Panthers won’t be the first unit taken in drafts across the country by any stretch of imagination, but ignore them at your peril.

This group made some impressive strides during the second half of 2020 after some early struggles. Carolina also made some eye-catching additions across the board that give Phil Snow far more to work with in terms of scheme.

The defenseive coordinator was obviously restricted last season with the tools at his disposal. Snow won’t have the same excuses this time around.

Sacks should be plentiful with Derrick Brown, Brian Burns, Haason Reddick, Morgan Fox, and Yetur Gross-Matos all capable of generate pressure consistently. Couple this with a secondary that is far more athletic than the one which ended the previous campaign, and the Panthers might boast a top-10 defense when it’s all said and done.

The Panthers should get improved production from their linebacker corps following the arrival of Denzel Perryman in free agency. This move should also see Shaq Thompson perform better after he felt Luke Kuechly’s retirement more than most in 2020.

Just where to draft a defense is always a hot topic in fantasy football. For those that choose to wait a little longer, Carolina is team that should be extremely high on your shortlist.