Carolina Panthers Twenty Bracket: Rivera Region

May 28, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly walks to the practice field prior to the practice held at the Bank of America Stadium practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Rivera Region: 2 Seed Luke Kuechly vs 15 Seed Mike Tolbert

Second Seed – Luke Kuechly

Middle linebacker was not an obvious need going into the 2012 NFL Draft. Jon Beason, albeit injured, was still around and just a couple of years removed from great play. However the Panthers made the call to take the best player available and it has paid off. Kuechly has already won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award and added a Butkus Award to his haul of awards. He can be everywhere.

Fifteenth Seed – Mike Tolbert

The full back from Coastal Carolina is the short yardage option for the team. He is also a capable receiver and just a round mound of pound otherwise. Some questioned his usefulness on a team that already had Williams and Stewart, but Tolbert finds his way into the playbook. The departure of Williams might increase his role.