It’s no secret that the Carolina defense struggled to produce a pass rush this past season. It’s also not a secret that Carolina was in the top third of the league in defending the run, although it feels like it is. Let’s take a look at how the Carolina Panthers defensive tackles produced in the 2018 season.
2018 In Review: Carolina Panthers Defensive Tackles
Kawann Short
2018 Stats: Three sacks, 12 tackles for loss, 42 tackles, 83.7 Pro Football Focus Grade (#17 DI)
2017 Stats: 7.5 sacks, Seven tackles for loss, 49 tackles
I’m going to keep this Short (haha get it?). Kawann Short had another good year with the Panthers, but not great. With a $17M cap hit in 2018 (and 2019), Short is third on the payroll only to quarterback Cam Newton and linebacker Luke Kuechly. With this percentage of cap space being allocated to Kawann, you’d expect to see him play at all All-Pro level on a yearly basis. Although it wasn’t a bad season for KK, who played in his second Pro Bowl in 2018, it wasn’t what we’ve come to expect from a player who is supposed to be an anchor on this defense.
At his high cap number, Short needs to have a fantastic 2019 where he not only elevates his own play, but also that of those around him. If KK has another average year in Carolina in 2019, Marty Hurney and the Panthers could look into restructuring (or even cutting) Short in 2020.
2018 Overall Grade: B
2019 Predictions: Short returns to form with help from an upgraded pass rush.
Dontari Poe
2018 Stats: One sack, Four tackles for loss, 17 tackles, 69.0 Pro Football Focus Grade (#66 DI)
2017 Stats (ATL): 2.5 sacks, Four tackles for loss, 39 tackles
After letting Star Lotulelei walk in free agency last spring, the Panthers brought Dontari Poe in to fill his spot. There was major excitement around this move until it played out on the field. Poe was seemingly nonexistent on an already-struggling defense. He failed to pop off the screen with any big plays or generate any meaningful statistics in 2018.
Sometimes it can be difficult to judge the true impact a run-stopping interior lineman has on the game. Compared to Lotulelei, who signed a five year deal with the Bills that averages a $10M cap hit per year, Poe was able to perform averagely enough to justify the Panthers bringing him in.
With a $9.3M cap hit in 2019, Poe (like Short) will need to perform at a higher level if he wants to stick around. It is fully expected for reinforcements on the edge to be a priority for the Carolina front office over the next few months. An upgrade here could really help free guys like Poe to make stand-out plays and earn their keep.
2018 Overall Grade: B-
2019 Predictions: Poe’s impact in the run game shouldn’t waver. Like Short, he will look much more effective with an upgraded pass rush. Dark horse cut candidate.
Kyle Love
2018 Stats: 1.5 sacks, zero tackles for loss, 19 tackles, three forced fumbles, 77.3 Pro Football Focus Grade (#31 DI)
2017 Stats: 3.5 sacks, three tackles for loss, 16 tackles, zero forced fumbles
On limited snaps, Kyle Love consistently made an impact for this defense throughout the season. Love surpassed all expectations in 2018 and has established himself as a strong rotational player on the interior. He should be an in-house priority for Carolina to bring back at a reasonable price in the coming weeks.
2018 Overall Grade: A
2019 Predictions: Love is brought back as solid rotational depth on a team friendly deal and provides similar production in 2019.
Vernon Butler
2018 Stats: 0.5 sacks, zero tackles for loss, 19 tackles, 63.5 Pro Football Focus Grade (#90 DI)
2017 Stats: Zero sacks, one tackle for loss, 13 tackles
It has been a disappointing career for the former first-round pick out of Louisiana Tech. We have seen short glimpses of his ability, but overall Vernon Butler is a failed experiment in Carolina. Entering the final year of his rookie contract, it looks like the Panthers will not pick up his fifth-year option. Cutting Butler would mean eating $2.7M in dead cap space, and will not be in Carolina’s best interest.
The Panthers have two options when it comes to Butler (barring the off-chance that he has a fantastic 2019): Ride it out this season as a depth piece and let him walk in 2020 OR try to trade him for scraps this off-season. As a former first-round pick, Butler could generate some buzz in the trade market. The Panthers should cut their losses here and look to move him for a mid- to late-round draft pick.
2018 Overall Grade: D
2019 Predictions: The Panthers make a draft day trade and ship Butler to New England for a 4th-6th round range pick.
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