5 Carolina Panthers players who quietly had great seasons in 2021
By Dean Jones
Which Carolina Panthers players quietly had great seasons during what became another 2021 campaign of abject failure?
It was hard to find any bright spots overall for the Carolina Panthers in 2021. A strong start that brought increased expectations quickly developed into a campaign with almost no noticeable progression and resulted in four coaches being fired as a result.
However, it appears as if head coach Matt Rhule is getting a reprieve. The former Baylor man is under some significant pressure and unless things turn around drastically next time around, it’s unlikely he’ll get a fourth year with the Panthers.
The margin for error has now gone from slim to non-existent. But the Panthers do have some nice pieces to build around for the future providing the obvious problem positional groups get reinforced sufficiently in the coming months.
Without further ado, here are five Panthers players who quietly put together great seasons in 2021 despite the team finishing with five wins for a third-straight year.
Player No. 1
Keith Taylor Jr. – Carolina Panthers CB
Considering cornerback Keith Taylor Jr. was expected to be nothing more than a development project as a rookie, his production in the starting rotation was extremely encouraging. The fifth-round pick out of Washington had moments of struggle, but the Carolina Panthers can be largely pleased with what they’ve seen overall.
Taylor probably got thrust into the lineup quicker than anticipated following the injury to Jaycee Horn. However, he performed to a level that might suggest more is on the way in 2022 and beyond.
It was a solid if not spectacular first year in a professional environment for Taylor. Providing he develops further this offseason, the Panthers might have unearthed another late-round draft diamond.