Carolina Panthers: Adding Strength to the Defensive Line
The Carolina Panthers boast one of the most powerful defenses in the league. The unit has long been one of the pillars to this team’s success and 2015 wasn’t any different. After a season in which the team was able to hold opponents in check both on the ground and through the air, it will be interesting to see how they continue to strengthen this defense.
Related Story: Carolina Panthers: Predicting their 2016 Draft Strategy
With the 2016 NFL draft approaching, there are a number of opportunities for general manager Dave Gettleman to add to this defense. Picking up another pass rusher seems to be a viable outcome early in the draft for the Panthers.
Having the number 30 pick this year, the Panthers have a number of options for this selection. They can employ the “best player available” mentality and pick up the best athlete available on the draft. Throughout free agency the team has put together depth at many key positions, but the defensive line will always need additional bodies.
More from NFL Spin Zone
- Dallas Cowboys made the trade everyone else should have made
- Pittsburgh Steelers rookie sleeper everyone should be talking about
- Anthony Richardson putting jaw-dropping talent on display immediately
- Denver Broncos’ stud wide receiver might be out for a while
- Washington Commanders: Three takeaways from win over Ravens
Last season, defensive end Charles Johnson’s injury created the room needed to bring in vetern Jared Allen. This year the Panthers can add depth through drafting a defensive end with this draft pick. Clemson defensive end, Kevin Dodd is a viable pick in this position.
Dodd was a powerful player among the college ranks who would be a good pick for any NFL organization. This is a welcome addition to the Panthers team who needs multiple options on the line. Johnson resigned for a lesser deal to add some much needed consistency and Kawann Short’s emergence as a powerful rusher came at the perfect time.
Dodd fits into this role as someone who can come off of the bench in 2016 and be crafted into an impact player behind men such as Johnson and Short. According to David Newton of ESPN, Dodd is a player that is on Gettleman’s radar.
Depth is what the Panthers, or any other team for that matter, needs on the defensive line. Dodd would fill this void behind Johnson, Short, Kony Ealy and Star Lotulelei. The team made moves to bring on Paul Soliai while resigning Kyle Love. Neither of these moves negates the value that adding Dodd brings to this roster both for 2016 and long term implications as well.
Dodd used his college career to cement himself as a strong pass rusher and leader among defensive players. In 2015 he played in 15 games and ended the year with 62 total tackles and 12.5 sacks. In this season he appeared on the NCAA leaderboard for tackles for a loss with 24 and total sacks.
This is the type of player that general managers long for and if he falls to the Panthers at No. 30 he would be a good pick to run with.
More nfl spin zone: Top Five Defensive Backs
The Carolina Panthers are looking to strengthen multiple aspects of their roster. While the team has made a number of moves during the off-season that immediately added value to the defensive line, drafting Kevin Dodd this year would put this team over the top as one of the best throughout the entire league as the 2016 season approaches.