2012 NFL Draft: Carolina Panthers Right in Not Drafting a Defensive Tackle

The 2012 NFL Draft has provided the Carolina Panthers with another pool of talent to add to one of the more exciting teams in the NFL.

As usual, the Panthers, in Ron Rivera’s second year, did not go with the most popular picks, but chose solid football players.

This year’s haul includes Mr. Everything in linebacker Luke Kuechly, the nastiest unknown guard from a Division II school in Amini Silatolu, and the “can’t touch this” return man of the draft in receiver Joe Adams.

Overall, Carolina addressed every need from defensive end to corner, but they did not address what numerous experts believed was Carolina’s biggest need—defensive tackle. Corner was a huge need as well, but seeing as Carolina ranked in the bottom five in rush defense it was assumed the Panthers would target a run stuffer.

This year’s draft did include numerous quality players at the position such as Fletcher Cox, Michael Brockers, Dontari Poe, Jerel Worthy and Devon Still. This was just the early talent as the massive nose tackle Alameda Ta’amu fell to the fourth round.

Any one of these guys could easily have been plucked up on on Day 1 and instantly improved the interior of the defensive line.

Despite such a deep class, the Panthers chose to ignore the position and address their other needs. The interesting part is, they may have been right.

The Panthers had numerous misfortunes last year that led to such a dismal performance on the field. Veteran Ron Edwards was brought in to be the run stuffer but he went down during camp, which is becoming somewhat of a tradition for the Panthers.

They also drafted two tackles in the third round of the 2011 Draft. Sione Fua and Terrell McClain were forced into the starting role from the get-go and they struggled.

Just when Fua and McClain were getting acclimated to the NFL, they both went down with injuries in the same week. This forced the Panthers to draw from the practice squad, which was used on a regular basis last season.

Jason Shirley, Frank Kearse, and Andre Neblett were given their chances and they surprised many by performing well. Shirley became the run stuffer the team lacked all season and Neblett showed the ability to collapse the pocket.

It was unexpected, but their play definitely factored into the Panthers’ decision to forgo drafting another tackle.

In 2012, the Panthers could have one of the deeper lines in the league. With the return of all those injured players, the position would be as follows.

Ron Edwards: 6'3", 315 pounds, 12th year

Sione Fua: 6'1", 310 pounds, 2nd year

Terrell McClain: 6'2", 291 pounds, 2nd year

Frank Kearse: 6'5", 325 pounds, 2nd year

Andre Neblett: 6'0", 295 pounds, 3rd year

Jason Shirley: 6'5", 345 pounds, 2nd year

Looking at this, it is evident that the Panthers do have run stuffers like Edwards and Shirley. If McClain and Neblett can provide a consistent pass rush, combined with moving guys like Greg Hardy or Frank Alexander inside on passing downs, the Panthers will be able to solidify the position for years to come.