5 Panthers players who have blown away early expectations in 2021

Frankie Luvu – Carolina Panthers OLB

From roster bubble candidate to a key rotational piece in just a few short weeks. Frankie Luvu has certainly left his mark on the Carolina Panthers so far.

At least from his early stages with the team, Luvu looks like another player that’s going to thrive away from the New York Jets. His infectious enthusiasm for the game of football is hard not to love – which is matched by a surprising ability to make plays when it matters most.

Luvu is a great character to have around the organization. His new teammates took to him right away and this smooth transition was undoubtedly a real confidence boost for the player after joining the team at a real career crossroads.

In just 23 percent of Carolina’s defensive snaps, Luvu has recorded one sack, five tackles, two quarterback hits, one tackle for loss, one forced fumble, and three pressures.

This outstanding production hasn’t gone unnoticed by the analysts at Pro Football Focus, who’ve given the Washington State product an 83.3 grade through the first three weeks.

What’s important for Luvu is continuing to make a difference wherever Phil Snow chooses to utilize him. But for someone who signed for just a $1.1 million salary-cap hit, it’s been money well spent and something that could earn the player an extended stay beyond 2021.