Each week this offseason, we’ll be focusing on one position and how the Panthers may choose to address their needs; whether they’re in the market for an upgrade at starter or just a reliable backup, every player on the 53-man roster is going to be important in 2018.

This is Defensive Line Week.

While 3-4 DEs aren’t natural fits in the Panthers’ 4-3 defense, some are able to be relatively effective either as DEs on rushing downs or as three-techs. While neither of these are needs for the Panthers, it is worth being aware of what there is available, and should a highly rated player fall to them in day three, the Panthers could find it hard to pass on that level of value; so what does the 2018 draft class have to offer in this regard?

The Big Board

Ken Norton and Taven Bryan are the real standouts at this position, with both offering quite different skills set; Bryan is the purer 3-4 DE, using length, quickness and hand usage in order to be effective, though he would likely be a poor fit with the Panthers. Norton looks to be most effective as a penetrating 3-4 end, but could move inside in a 4-3 to play as the 3-tech; Norton’s upside is that of a Sheldon Richardson, but he will need to show he can turn flashes of dominance into consistent production at the pro level.

James Looney flashed at the Combine, and on tape that quickness and agility is also evident; he will need to work on his pad level in order to be effective in the run game, especially in the NFL, but as with Norton could possibly move inside in a 4-3 scheme. While his stock has risen since the Combine, he could be somebody that offers an intriguing late-round temptation for the Panthers. Phillips and Hand are both more polished players but neither offer quite the same upside. Phillips should be able to be immediately effective as a run defender, however, and while Hand could do with some development, he could be of value to a team that looks to rotate bodies at the position.

There are a number of late-round options at this position, but none of them are likely going to tempt the Panthers significantly. Brown has never lived up to the hype he received as a high school player and at this point should be seen as a longshot to ever deliver on what was promised. Shepard is possibly the most tempting as a developmental option as his small-school background suggests he might respond most significantly to coaching and an NFL weight room, but his ceiling is probably not high enough to tempt teams earlier than the later round.

 

Vincent Richardson on Twitter
Vincent Richardson
Managing Editor at Riot Report
Fan of zone coverage, knee bend and running backs running routes. Twitter: @vrichardson444