Today we will examine the defense's depth chart. The Panthers have mostly focused on retaining its own free agents on this side of the ball, bringing in just one new player for the defense thus far in free gaency.
WEAK SIDE DEFENSIVE END
#95 Charles Johnson, 8 Years Pro, University of Georgia
The anchor of the defensive line, Johnson has totaled 52.5 sacks in the five seasons since he became a full time starter. Johnson demands double teams from opponents and is a premier defensive end in the NFL.
#97 Mario Addison, 4 Years Pro, Troy University
Addison had a semi-breakout last year, posting 6.5 sacks as a rotational pass rusher (40.8% of total snaps possibly played). He is not big enough to shift inside on pass rushing downs, but Addison proved last season that he can rush the passer from the outside when given the opportunity. He is a solid rotation player and backup that can spell Johnson on long drives.
#90 Frank Alexander, 3 Years Pro, University of Oklahoma
Johnson has served multiple suspensions (4 games assigned in May of 2014 and 10 games assigned in October of 2014) for violating the league's drug policy. I am actually a bit surprised that the Panthers have not already cut ties with him, given owner Jerry Richardson's staunch opposition to retaining Greg Hardy. Perhaps it is the fact that Alexander has not produced enough to have a high profile that hurts the image of the franchise with his errors. If the Panthers draft a defensive end, one would have to think that Alexander's status on the roster would be in danger.
3-TECHNIQUE DEFENSIVE TACKLE
#99 Kawann Short, 2 Years Pro, Purdue University
Short actually played more defensive snaps than any other defensive tackle for the Panthers last season (600, Dwan Edwards second at 591). He also graded very well with PFF (positive against both the pass and the run). The young DT tandem from Gettleman's first draft is making him look like a genius thus far.
#92 Dwan Edwards, 10 Years Pro, Oregon State University
#98 Star Lotulelei, 2 Years Pro, University of Utah
In Edwards two healthy seasons as a Panther, he has amassed 92 tackles and 10 sacks and even added in a 24 yard interception last year. Edwards turns 34 in a few months and recently signed a 2 year, $4,000,000 contract that will probably be his last before retiring. He provides good leadership and solid play in the middle of the defensive line.
NOSE TACKLE
#98 Star Lotulelei, 2 Years Pro, University of Utah
The big man in the middle gobbles up would-be blockers and runners alike for the Panthers front seven, allowing linebackers Thomas Davis and Luke Kuechly run free. He has still not developed much pass rushing ability, but Lotulelei dealt with injuries during his sophomore season. I foresee a big break out season this year, especially with improved talent around him on defense - 50 tackles and 6 sacks.
#91 Colin Cole, 9 Years Pro, University of Iowa
The elder statesman of the Panthers's defensive line, Cole joined the Panthers out of semi-retirement to provide a secondary run stuffing presence to spell and mentor Star. The acquisitions of Lotulelei, Short, and Cole in the 2013 offseason helped form the foundation of the elite Panthers defensive units of the past two years. He signed a one year deal earlier this offseason.
STRONG SIDE DEFENSIVE END
#94 Kony Ealy, 1 Year Pro, University of Missouri
Ealy did not look like he knew what was going on all the time last season, but he has the physical tools to succeed in the NFL and flashed his upside with 4 sacks in limited playing time as a rookie. He played 368 snaps last season, but I would expect that total to jump above 400 as Ealy learns the nuances of playing defensive end in the NFL. The Panthers need him to take a leap forward as a sophomore, priming Ealy for a breakout in 2016.
#96 Wes Horton, 2 Years Pro, University of Southern California
Horton is a fifth defensive end who was asked to do too much last season, playing the second most snaps at defensive end. He is the best run blocking option of himself, Addison, and Ealy, but that should change as Ealy continues to develop. He has not impressed yet and may not be long for the roster if the Panthers pick up any talent along the defensive line.
WEAK SIDE LINEBACKER
#58 Thomas Davis, 10 Years Pro, University of Georgia
Davis is the unquestioned heart and soul of the Panthers defense. After coming back from three ACL tears in the same knee, Davis has somehow elevated his game with three straight seasons of at least 100 tackles; he also has 6.5 sacks, 5 forced fumbles, and 3 picks during that time. The Panthers essentially run a two-linebacker defensive system, with only two linebackers playing more than 26.3% of defensive snaps last year, but Davis and fellow linebacker Luke Kuechly are a very special duo.
MIDDLE LINEBACKER
#59 Luke Kuechly, 3 Years Pro, Boston College
Wow. Just wow. Luke is a fan favorite and perhaps the premier middle linebacker in the NFL, especially with Patrick Willis's early retirement. He only came off the field for 7.6% of last seasons defensive snaps, and was PFF's highest rated linebacker against the pass (Davis was second). Kuechly was the 2012 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and the 2013 AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year; he also started in the Pro Bowl in 2013 and 2014. The Panthers have already picked up his fifth year option, but look for them to lock him up with an insanely lucrative contract extension in the near future.
STRONG SIDE LINEBACKER
#56 A.J. Klein, 2 Years Pro, Iowa State University
Klein played 289 snaps on defense last season, good for third amongst linebackers, but his season was cut short with injuries. Klein does not wow you with anything, but he is a heady linebacker that provides solid depth and superb special teams play. If he continues to develop, the Panthers might not need to use the nickel package so often.
#57 Adarious Glanton, 1 Year Pro, Florida Atlantic University
Glanton started the last two games of the regular season as the Panthers's third linebacker and posted 11 tackles, 1 run stuff, and 1 forced fumble - not terrible numbers for a practice squad call up. Glanton will probably need to make the team based on special teams contributions, but he showed last year he will not be a liability if called upon in an injury crunch.
LEFT CORNERBACK
#25 Bene' Benwikere, 1 Year Pro, San Jose State University
Benwikere began his rookie season as the starting nickleback with Antoine Cason and Melvin White as the starters on the outside. After his four game absence, Josh Norman had overtaken White and Benwikere's play caused the Panthers to release Cason. Benwikere has a slighter frame and is not particularly fast, which is why he may be best suited to line up inside at nickel back in the long run.
#23 Melvin White, 2 Years Pro, University of Louisiana - Lafayette
White was an undrafted free agent signed by the Panthers after the 2013 draft. He started as a rookie but his subpar play last season led to him being benched. White can provide solid depth and a decent spot start here or there, but I think he showed last year that he should not be counted on to start 16 games.
RIGHT CORNERBACK
#24 Josh Norman, 3 Years Pro, Coastal Carolina University
After starting as a rookie and struggling mightily as a sophomore, Normand developed into Carolina's best corner since Chris Gamble down the stretch last season, finally tapping into the potential he displayed while in college. Norman will turn 28 towards the end of the season and will be entering free agency next spring if he is not signed to an extension. Expect the Panthers to wait and see if last season was a sign of growth and not a fluke before entering contract negotiations.
NICKLE CORNERBACK
#42 Colin Jones, 4 Years Pro, Texas Christian University
A backup safety and special teams player his first three seasons in the NFL, Jones was pressed into action at the nickleback position down the stretch last season and was part of an improved defense that spurred the Panthers late win streak. He is probably best utilized as a third safety, backup nickleback, and special teams ace. If the Panthers draft a cornerback early, look for Benwikere to move back here and relegate Jones to third safety duties.
FREE SAFETY
#33 Tre' Boston, 1 Year Pro, University of North Carolina
After replacing Thomas DeCoud at free safety with Boston, the Panthers went 5-1 including the playoffs. One has to wonder what might have been if Boston had not suffered a sports hernia early on during offseason workouts. He was prolific in college (282 tackles and 13 interceptions) but possessed unimpressive athleticism leading up to the draft; it seems GM Dave Gettleman may have found a diamond in the fourth round, despite analysts considering the pick a reach at the time.
#?? Kurt Coleman, 5 Years Pro, Ohio State University
Coleman was signed as free agent to provide competition at the safety position and improve special teams coverage teams. If the coaching staff is impressed, he may well play himself into a starting spot at the strong safety position; but if he cannot unseat Roman Harper, Coleman will likely play the role of third safety, possibly taking Harpers place on passing downs.
STRONG SAFETY
#41 Roman Harper, 9 Years Pro, University of Alabama
Harper was brought in last offseason to provide a veteran presence in the defensive backfield and ended up leading the team in interceptions with 4. At 32 years of age, Harper's best years are most likely behind him, but he can continue to play a role as a veteran leader on the defense and as a solid in-the-box presence.
#94 Kony Ealy, 1 Year Pro, University of Missouri
Ealy did not look like he knew what was going on all the time last season, but he has the physical tools to succeed in the NFL and flashed his upside with 4 sacks in limited playing time as a rookie. He played 368 snaps last season, but I would expect that total to jump above 400 as Ealy learns the nuances of playing defensive end in the NFL. The Panthers need him to take a leap forward as a sophomore, priming Ealy for a breakout in 2016.
#96 Wes Horton, 2 Years Pro, University of Southern California
Horton is a fifth defensive end who was asked to do too much last season, playing the second most snaps at defensive end. He is the best run blocking option of himself, Addison, and Ealy, but that should change as Ealy continues to develop. He has not impressed yet and may not be long for the roster if the Panthers pick up any talent along the defensive line.
WEAK SIDE LINEBACKER
#58 Thomas Davis, 10 Years Pro, University of Georgia
Davis is the unquestioned heart and soul of the Panthers defense. After coming back from three ACL tears in the same knee, Davis has somehow elevated his game with three straight seasons of at least 100 tackles; he also has 6.5 sacks, 5 forced fumbles, and 3 picks during that time. The Panthers essentially run a two-linebacker defensive system, with only two linebackers playing more than 26.3% of defensive snaps last year, but Davis and fellow linebacker Luke Kuechly are a very special duo.
MIDDLE LINEBACKER
#59 Luke Kuechly, 3 Years Pro, Boston College
Wow. Just wow. Luke is a fan favorite and perhaps the premier middle linebacker in the NFL, especially with Patrick Willis's early retirement. He only came off the field for 7.6% of last seasons defensive snaps, and was PFF's highest rated linebacker against the pass (Davis was second). Kuechly was the 2012 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and the 2013 AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year; he also started in the Pro Bowl in 2013 and 2014. The Panthers have already picked up his fifth year option, but look for them to lock him up with an insanely lucrative contract extension in the near future.
STRONG SIDE LINEBACKER
#56 A.J. Klein, 2 Years Pro, Iowa State University
Klein played 289 snaps on defense last season, good for third amongst linebackers, but his season was cut short with injuries. Klein does not wow you with anything, but he is a heady linebacker that provides solid depth and superb special teams play. If he continues to develop, the Panthers might not need to use the nickel package so often.
#57 Adarious Glanton, 1 Year Pro, Florida Atlantic University
Glanton started the last two games of the regular season as the Panthers's third linebacker and posted 11 tackles, 1 run stuff, and 1 forced fumble - not terrible numbers for a practice squad call up. Glanton will probably need to make the team based on special teams contributions, but he showed last year he will not be a liability if called upon in an injury crunch.
LEFT CORNERBACK
#25 Bene' Benwikere, 1 Year Pro, San Jose State University
Benwikere began his rookie season as the starting nickleback with Antoine Cason and Melvin White as the starters on the outside. After his four game absence, Josh Norman had overtaken White and Benwikere's play caused the Panthers to release Cason. Benwikere has a slighter frame and is not particularly fast, which is why he may be best suited to line up inside at nickel back in the long run.
#23 Melvin White, 2 Years Pro, University of Louisiana - Lafayette
White was an undrafted free agent signed by the Panthers after the 2013 draft. He started as a rookie but his subpar play last season led to him being benched. White can provide solid depth and a decent spot start here or there, but I think he showed last year that he should not be counted on to start 16 games.
RIGHT CORNERBACK
#24 Josh Norman, 3 Years Pro, Coastal Carolina University
After starting as a rookie and struggling mightily as a sophomore, Normand developed into Carolina's best corner since Chris Gamble down the stretch last season, finally tapping into the potential he displayed while in college. Norman will turn 28 towards the end of the season and will be entering free agency next spring if he is not signed to an extension. Expect the Panthers to wait and see if last season was a sign of growth and not a fluke before entering contract negotiations.
NICKLE CORNERBACK
#42 Colin Jones, 4 Years Pro, Texas Christian University
A backup safety and special teams player his first three seasons in the NFL, Jones was pressed into action at the nickleback position down the stretch last season and was part of an improved defense that spurred the Panthers late win streak. He is probably best utilized as a third safety, backup nickleback, and special teams ace. If the Panthers draft a cornerback early, look for Benwikere to move back here and relegate Jones to third safety duties.
FREE SAFETY
#33 Tre' Boston, 1 Year Pro, University of North Carolina
After replacing Thomas DeCoud at free safety with Boston, the Panthers went 5-1 including the playoffs. One has to wonder what might have been if Boston had not suffered a sports hernia early on during offseason workouts. He was prolific in college (282 tackles and 13 interceptions) but possessed unimpressive athleticism leading up to the draft; it seems GM Dave Gettleman may have found a diamond in the fourth round, despite analysts considering the pick a reach at the time.
#?? Kurt Coleman, 5 Years Pro, Ohio State University
Coleman was signed as free agent to provide competition at the safety position and improve special teams coverage teams. If the coaching staff is impressed, he may well play himself into a starting spot at the strong safety position; but if he cannot unseat Roman Harper, Coleman will likely play the role of third safety, possibly taking Harpers place on passing downs.
STRONG SAFETY
#41 Roman Harper, 9 Years Pro, University of Alabama
Harper was brought in last offseason to provide a veteran presence in the defensive backfield and ended up leading the team in interceptions with 4. At 32 years of age, Harper's best years are most likely behind him, but he can continue to play a role as a veteran leader on the defense and as a solid in-the-box presence.
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