Kony Ealy

A second round pick in 2014, Ealy started nine contests last season and hit his stride with a sack in five straight games during the middle of the campaign. While Ealy also forced three fumbles over that stretch, his impact ability next resurfaced in the Super Bowl, when he registered three sacks, forced another fumble and intercepted a pass. At 24 years old, Ealy could be in store for a breakout 2016 season as the Panthers’ starting defensive end opposite aging teammate Charles Johnson. With Johnson’s decline seemingly starting last season, defensive tackle Kawann Short emerged as a Pro Bowler, setting the bar high for Ealy this time around.

A second-round selection last year, Ealy made little impact during much of the regular season, but finished with a sack in each of the Panthers' final three contests. Overall, he totaled 12 tackles, four sacks and one forced fumble as a rookie. Nonetheless, heading into the upcoming campaign, Ealy is expected to start opposite Charles Johnson at defensive end, which should provide him plenty of opportunities to improve his numbers, especially if his penchant for getting to the quarterback carries over.

Selected in the second-round this year, Ealy figures to see playing time as a reserve defensive end this season. The proven duo of Greg Hardy and Charles Alexander should dominate the snap-count on each end, but Ealy is a pretty good athlete that could add another quality lineman to the Panthers' rotation.