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Carolina Panthers: What’s Cooking at Linebacker

By John Woodcock

Dec 11, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly (59) talks with outside linebacker A.J. Klein (56) during the game against the San Diego Chargers at Bank of America Stadium. The Panthers defeated the Chargers 28-16. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly (59) talks with outside linebacker A.J. Klein (56) during the game against the San Diego Chargers at Bank of America Stadium. The Panthers defeated the Chargers 28-16. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Carolina Panthers won’t lose much sleep based on their linebackers, but they should not ignore it completely.

Of all the positions that the Carolina Panthers have to address this off season, linebacker has to be one of the least stressful ones on the list. Luke Kuechly should be back in action next year and the team will have at least one more year of Thomas Davis. Shaq Thompson has become the reliable third guy, but that is where the story ends.

The Panthers have been really good at developing linebackers, but when that number exceeds three they usually can’t keep a hold of the fourth guy. This year the fourth guy is A.J. Klein. Klein made half a million dollars last year and he will likely get money and a starter’s spot on another team. Do not expect him to return from his unrestricted free agency.

The loss of Klein will mean the Panthers need another fourth man. Klein could back up Kuechly or Thompson and did. Middle linebackers are particularly important, and again Klein was the number two in that position. Ideally the Panthers would find another backer in the draft, but that is not the only consideration for the position.

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The second linebacker storyline is Davis and his advancing age. The older he gets, the more the Panthers need to invest in grooming his replacement. Except that Davis’ replacement is already on the roster in the form of Thompson. So the Panthers actually need the next guy to fill Thompson’s role. That would solidify the linebacking corps for years as Kuechly, Thompson, and the supposed new guy all grew old together.

The draft could offer Haason Reddick of Temple or LSU’s Duke Reilly in the second or third round if the Panthers were to go that way. If they went inside backer instead, the team could look at Florida’s Jarrad Davis.

Next: Cut Jonathan Stewart?

The Panthers do have the luxury of not really being able to screw the position up this year and I doubt there will be much worrying compared to Short’s extension or the offensive line.

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