Carolina Panthers Position Breakdown: Interior Defensive Linemen

Expect a defensive scheme change to boost what was a lackluster group in 2018

Boasting two Pro Bowlers at the starting interior defensive line positions heading into the 2018 season, as well as a former first round pick and a seasoned veteran as depth, fans had every reason to be excited about a position group that isn’t always flashiest. However, when looking back on the season, this was a group that was somewhat disappointing, not living up to its high expectations.

Last season’s outlook

While Kawann Short ended up getting a Pro Bowl nod again in 2018, this was more based off of his reputation rather than his performance, and his numbers back that up. The team as a whole struggled in the pass-rushing department, ranking sixth-to-last in the league with 35 sacks. Short was part of these struggles, as his three sacks were the lowest since his rookie year and his seven quarterback hits were the lowest in his career by a sizable margin. He wasn’t that much better in run support, totaling 42 total tackles, also the lowest since his rookie season, although the bright spot was that his 12 tackles for loss were tied for his second highest.

Granted, the role of the defensive tackle is generally to take up space and occupy blockers to allow teammates to make plays rather than stuff the stat sheets. However, the elite defensive tackles, such as Aaron Donald, Fletcher Cox, Geno Atkins, etc., are the ones who defy these norms and are constantly wrecking havoc along opposing offensive lines en route to impressive stat lines. While Short didn’t have a bad year, he simply didn’t live up to the reputation he made for himself earlier in his career and will need to have a bounce back year to solidify this status and justify what the team is paying him rather than becoming looked at as an average interior lineman.

Dontari Poe, who was the Panthers’ biggest free agent signing in the offseason prior to the 2018 season, also saw his numbers drop in his first year in Carolina. Poe has never been a pass-rusher, with his highest sack total being six in a Pro Bowl season, and rather is a space-eater who makes an impact in the run game. Still, his 17 tackles were by far the lowest of his career despite starting all 16 games, and still managed to make little impact as a pass-rusher, tallying one sack and a career-low three quarterback hits. With a hefty salary, if Poe doesn’t bounce back in 2019, he could ultimately be looking for a job next offseason.

Ever since being selected in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft, Vernon Butler has been a vast disappointment as well, never living up to these expectations, notching just two career sacks and never having more than 20 tackles in a season while never even starting a game, let alone making an impact and seeing meaningful playing time. With the Panthers not picking up his fifth-year option, it is unlikely Butler will even be on the roster next season.

The Panthers also have dependable veteran Kyle Love, who led the team with three forced fumbles last season, but has never been known to stuff the stat sheet and rather just occupies blockers and does the little things to help the team while providing a veteran presence in the locker room.