4 players who came out of nowhere for the Carolina Panthers in 2021
By Dean Jones
Keith Taylor – Carolina Panthers CB
The cornerback room has been one of the real strengths for the Carolina Panthers this season. Something that cannot be said of previous years and certainly not during a torrid spell for the unit in 2020.
This is something the front office rectified with heavy recruitment before and during the campaign. Carolina used their first-round selection on Jaycee Horn, with trades for All-Pro Stephon Gilmore and promising youngster C.J. Henderson further strengthening this particular area of the field.
For all the high-profile names and talent on the Panthers, the production of Keith Taylor Jr. has come out of nowhere and been another significant asset for the team to call upon when required.
The fifth-round pick arrived as a development project with the scope to play a part in the coming years. However, the Washington product’s adjustment to the NFL was seamless and this saw him involved much sooner than originally anticipated.
Not only this, but Taylor has proven he belongs at the next level with accomplished coverage and a stable presence in the passing game that can only mean good things moving forward.
General manager Scott Fitterer gained a fierce reputation for finding late-round gems during his time with the Seattle Seahawks. In Taylor, he’s found another one that can provide immediate assistance during the rest of 2021 and beyond.