Carolina Panthers 2012 Draft: What Amini Silatolu Pick Means for the Defense

The Carolina Panthers decision to add hulking Midwestern guard Amini Silatolu is a risk, given that it comes at the expense of upgrading the interior of the defensive line.

The Panthers chose Silatolu while leaving defensive stalwarts like Devon Still and Jerel Worthy on the board. Their biggest need is defense, and the middle of their line was the weak point during the 2011 season.

Selecting Silatolu could be an indication that Ron Rivera still has faith that second-year players Sione Fua and Terrell McClain can improve.

Veteran Ron Edwards, who missed all of last season, is also set to return from injury, giving Carolina some options. One interesting possibility is the idea that the team could switch to a hybrid 3-4 front.

Both Fua and Edwards have played 3-4 nose tackle in the past. Another point in favor of the switch is that the linebacking corps is the strength of the defense.

The decision to draft Luke Kuechly means that Rivera can pair him with Jon Beason and have two natural inside linebackers at the heart of a 3-4 front. James Anderson has the potential to switch to the outside and offer some pass-rush threat.

Carolina experimented with 3-4 looks at times last season, and Rivera coached a league-leading 3-4 with the 2010 San Diego Chargers. The Panthers' next pick is in the fourth round.

It seems unlikely they will find a defensive tackle active enough to make the kind of impact a 4-3 front demands. With this in mind, taking Silatolu has to be considered a risk.

Grade: C-