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.
The Panthers’ defense doesn’t use a classic 3-4 NT, though many players who are best classed in this way are still able to be effective as the 1-technique in a 4-3 defense, a prime example of this being recent Panthers’ acquisition Dontari Poe. While the addition of Poe means that this will certainly not be the biggest need for the Panthers in the 2018 draft, with the ever underappreciated Kyle Love turning 32 during the 2018 season, it should also not be completely ruled out.
The Big Board
While it would be nearly impossible and highly foolish to argue that nose tackle is the Panthers’ biggest need going into the draft, Vita Vea could well be in the conversation at 24 should he somehow fall that far; Vea has incredible power, even for a guy of his size, but also posses surprising quickness and agility. While there are some more finessed technique aspects he needs to clear up, he is possibly the best nose tackle prospect since the aforementioned Poe and should be an immediate contributor for any defense.
Tim Settle is more of a developmental prospect, as the flashes of dominance are undermined somewhat by sloppy hand usage which makes it harder to shed blocks than is ideal. Ford and Lotulelei are similarly in need of improved technique though neither offer quite the same upside as Settle; none of these three are likely to be consistent contributors from day one, but teams looking to add a player who they can develop behind an established starter would make good landing spots.
Nnadi is unlikely to ever be an above-average nose tackle, but he is relatively technically sound and might possibly have made sense for the Panthers as a rotation piece had they not signed Poe last week; Fatukasi is similar in that he is unlikely to ever become a good starter, but could offer depth from his first day in the league. Atkins is a fairly well rounded player, just not to an NFL standard, and is likely to be seen as a training camp body more than a real option to contribute early on.
For the Panthers, Vea would be tempting should he somehow fall to 24, but beyond that there is limited space on the roster for a NT and anybody they do add would have to offer a significant improvement over Love or come very late on in the draft.
ICYMI: With the Oscars happening, we assume this feature about @VeaVita will need to be nominated in 2019. pic.twitter.com/QMFfWJ1pGX
— The Riot Report (@RRiotReport) March 5, 2018
