2012 NFL Draft Strategy: Carolina Panthers Getting Defensive

In one fell swoop, the Carolina Panthers took a huge step in solving their issues on offense when the team called out quarterback Cam Newton’s name on April 28, 2011.

A slew of NFL rookie quarterback records toppled, 4,051 passing yards and 35 touchdowns (21 through the air and 14 on the ground) later, the Panthers feel good about the direction their offense is heading.

On April 26, 2012, expect Carolina to look at the other side of the ball at pick No. 9, and with a good number of the team’s other six picks over the weekend.

For the Panthers, the focus of the 2012 NFL draft will be defense.

Carolina won’t close its eyes to Newton and the unit that puts points on the board, there are still team needs on offense like the line and wide receiver, possibly tight end. But something has to be done on defense.

Starting with the obvious, the Panthers were one of six teams that gave up 6,000 yards or more last season. While that’s not a guaranteed season killer—the New York Giants defense also gave up 6,022 yards—giving up massive amounts of yardage to opposing offenses and not excelling in other areas of the defense is a recipe for disaster.

One of those areas that Carolina did not excel in—and an area of focus in the upcoming draft—is getting after opposing quarterbacks. Carolina’s defense produced just 31 sacks in 2011, ranking them tied for 25^th in the NFL.

This is why the Panthers have been giving pass-rush specialists a hard, long look in draft preparations this offseason.

The team welcomed linebacker Luke Kuechly (Boston College) and defensive end Quinton Coples (North Carolina) for visits to the Charlotte training facility. Carolina also brought in defensive tackle Fletcher Cox (Mississippi State) for a look. Cox is a rare middle-of-the-line clogger that can also get after the quarterback in pursuit.

Of the 15 defensive players the Panthers brought to Charlotte to work out and speak with, 10 of them were front-seven players. Carolina will address that front seven in the draft, and expect the team to do so early.