Carolina Panthers Position Breakdown: Interior Defensive Linemen

By Daniel Lacy | Jul 19, 2019

PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 21: Defensive tackle Kawann Short #99 of the Carolina Panthers tackles running back Wendell Smallwood #28 of the Philadelphia Eagles during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on October 21, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /

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CHARLOTTE, NC – OCTOBER 28: Dontari Poe #95 and Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers warm up prior to their game against the Baltimore Ravens at Bank of America Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

Scheme Change

It has been highly publicized that the Panthers are going to start exploring more 3-4 looks in their defense rather than the traditional 4-3 that they have run for years, and this is a scheme change that should be beneficial to all of their interior linemen.

Personally, I believe Poe will be the biggest beneficiary, as he has a wealth of experience as a nose tackle, including two Pro Bowl seasons, during his time in Kansas City, and this is probably his most natural fit. Short and McCoy, using their respective size and athleticism, also make sense as 3-4 defensive ends in this system. This gives the Panthers three huge bodies up front that will be a force to be reckoned with if they can get back to playing up to their potential.

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