The Carolina Panthers seemingly needed a boost to their defense all season long. And lucky for them, they finally got one – in Week 10 from Munich, Germany.
That jolt came in the form of a returning DJ Wonnum, who was sidelined for the first nine weeks of the campaign due to complications from a torn quadriceps. The fifth-year outside linebacker provided a spark in his team debut, accounting for one of two sacks and five of 17 pressures for Carolina about the New York Giants.
And Wonnum's crucial return had a special meaning beyond the numbers. His performance was vindication in a way as he made an immediate impact after a frustrating and serious situation .
Now he's an important piece of the puzzle for defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero and his unit as they look to close out the final stretch of the season with a strong performance.
We saw that last week when Wonnum was allowed to tee off against New York's offensive tackles.
Here he does his job as a power defender with a good collision against the pulling right tackle. He then works with hip and ankle flexion under the linesman's shoulder to create pressure.
I know no one asked about this, but here's a DJ Wonnum thread 🧵 from the Week 10 win in Germany.
Collision vs. Pull RT and bend down to put pressure on Jones. (PBU from Horn for additional effects).
— Jared Feinberg (@JRodNFLDraft)
Here's another example of Wonnum's value as a pass rusher.
Look at the hesitation to stall the left tackle's feet, similar to how a wide receiver can stall the feet of a pressman corner on split releases. This allows him to attack the outside shoulder with force, power and explosion.
Wonnum's sack on Giants quarterback Daniel Jones set the tone and brought a lot of energy to the Panthers' defense for the rest of the game.
Failed flea flicker. I'm hesitant to boost LT. Good try and arm over to chase the QB.
— Jared Feinberg (@JRodNFLDraft)
As he did in his first four seasons as a Minnesota Viking, Wonnum also showed some value as a run defender. The combination of above-average range, explosion and speed has proven effective against ground attacks.
Here Wonnum shows enough strength and explosiveness to collide with the pulling right guard, close his gap and secure a stop:
Phew. Nice power on the POA from Wonnum on the pulling RG. Nice extension to press and tackle for minimal gain.
— Jared Feinberg (@JRodNFLDraft)
Although this performance came against one of the weaker offensive fronts in football, it gave us a glimpse of what Wonnum can become. He still has a lot to prove in Carolina, but his progress — as evidenced by his final year in Minnesota — is real.
As crazy as it may sound, the Panthers aren't entirely out of playoff contention – even at 3-7. They are just 2.5 games behind the NFC South lead with seven games to go.
If they somehow manage to make a breakthrough, we could see Wonnum's debut as a turning point for the Panthers and their defense.