The Carolina Panthers have fielded quite an impressive defense here in 2021.
They’ve currently allowed the second-fewest yards per game (288.7), the sixth-fewest points per game (20.0) and boast the third-most sacks (30.0). Additionally, having studs like defensive ends Haason Reddick and Brian Burns, linebacker Shaq Thompson, safety Jeremy Chinn and corners Stephon Gilmore and Donte Jackson makes the actual roster look good on paper as well.
But even with all of that going for them, Carolina has been too thin in the takeaway department. The Panthers are very much in the middle of the pack, having forced just 13 turnovers so far with eight of those coming by way of interception.
If they hope to become a more serious contender, they’ll have to see their defenders make some game-changing plays. And for that, we look down to South Beach.
For this week’s prowl, with the Week 12 opponent in the Miami Dolphins on deck, we choose cornerback Xavien Howard to hypothetically snatch away for the Panthers.
Howard is one of the league’s premier playmaking cover men, having totaled 12 interceptions over his last 26 games. He’s also totaled a whopping 32 pass deflections in that span and, during this season in particular, has recovered two fumbles with one going for a 49-yard touchdown.
The sixth-year veteran has been all around the pigskin for much of his career. And while he isn’t an absolute lockdown one-on-one defender (at least based off Pro Football Focus giving him a coverage grade of at least 75.0 only twice), he’s the ballhawking presence this Panthers defense would love to have.
So, did we nail it?
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