PFF's Carolina Panthers Secret Superstar: Kawann Short

[Icege]

Since the departures of first Kris Jenkins and then Ma’ake Kemoeatu (who would miss his final year on injured reserve), the Carolina Panthers’ defensive tackle position hasn’t been what you would describe as stout.

Minimal free agent investments failed to fix a problem as teams bulldozed through their week interior, while the 2011 decision to spend draft picks on both Terrell McClain and Sione Fua backfired spectacularly as both started, flopped and were ditched after just over two years with the team.

But to Dave Gettleman that was the old regime, and while it was a problem he inherited it was a problem he wasn’t going to waste time fixing. So with his first selection as a General Manager he capitalized on a mini-draft day slide for Star Lotulelei by selecting him with the 14th overall pick. Lotulelei would have a fine rookie year and garner plenty of positive attention as his work in the run game (earning the sixth-highest grade of all defensive tackles) helped transform the defense and the team into a far different beast.

Only Lotulelei wasn’t the only defensive tackle drafted and helped turn a once laughably bad position into a strength. No, the team also used a second round pick on Kawann Short, a man who could develop into an even more valuable piece of the Panthers’ puzzle and a man who is our Carolina Panthers Secret Superstar.

 

https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2014/05/20/secret-superstars-2014-carolina-panthers/

 

 

 

I loved the KK pick and had mocked him several times myself to the Panthers since I felt that Star wouldn't fall (no pun intended). I can't wait to see our DL at full power this season.

[rko396]

-PFF doesn't grade Keek an A+

"OMG THESE GUYS ARE A JOKE!! SO STUPID!!"

-PFF grades KK very positively

"THESE GUYS ARE SMART! SEE THEY GET IT!!"

[philp]

So one thread we hate on PFF and the other we love PFF......  

 

Sounds about right.

[gettlemanjack]

Last year both Kawann and Star were named to the Pro Football Focus all-rookie team and only rated behind the following rookies:

1. DL Sheldon Richardson (+30.4)

2. OG Larry Warford (+22.8)

3. RB Eddie Lacy (+17.8)

3. RB Giovani Bernard (+17.8)

5. WR Keenan Allen (+17.0)

6. DT Kawann Short, CAR (+16.4)

7. LB Kiko Alonso (+16.0)

8. DT Star Lotelelei (+15.1)

(both graded better than Eric Reid, Kenny

Vaccaro, Tyrann Mathieu, etc)

[SCP]

Trust the Nippleshorts bros

[Razeyfingers]

Minooootaaaaauuur!

 

[MedellinHeel]

Last year both Kawann and Star were named to the Pro Football Focus all-rookie team and only rated behind the following rookies:

1. DL Sheldon Richardson (+30.4)

2. OG Larry Warford (+22.8)

3. RB Eddie Lacy (+17.8)

3. RB Giovani Bernard (+17.8)

5. WR Keenan Allen (+17.0)

6. DT Kawann Short, CAR (+16.4)

7. LB Kiko Alonso (+16.0)

8. DT Star Lotelelei (+15.1)

(both graded better than Eric Reid, Kenny

Vaccaro, Tyrann Mathieu, etc)

 

Dang, SR with a plus 30. Dude must have put in some serious work last yr. 

 

KK will be a beast. 

[*FreeFua*]

CJ, Ealy, KK, Hardy on 3rd downs will be scary

[Cary Kollins]

FWMYKIGI

 

 

 

 

 

 

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

At the bottom of that article PFF compares KK's grade to past players with a similar grade and the player they came up with was Geno Atkins.

If KK turns into a Geno Atkins type player and Star turns into the Haloti Ngata type player that everyone thinks he can be.... Oh boy, watch out.

[Thal]

Would be nice to trade Hardy for a LT.

[gettlemanjack]

what makes it even better is that the Saints didn't re-sign their starter at C for the last three seasons, leaving them with Tim Lelito, an UDFA OG out of D2 entering his second year in the NFL and switching to C. He was their back-up RG as a rookie last year

(Saints also have a 3rd Round OT out of D2 entering his 2nd year as their starting LT. Per Rotoworld: "Armstead..appeared in four games as a rookie -- including the playoffs. He was dominated by Greg Hardy in his debut")

[Simon Says]

They rated Russell Wilson the 4th best QB in the NFL.

They rated Matt Ryan ahead of Cam Newton.

They are useless.

[PhillyB]

KK is the least talented guy on that line, so he'll demand the least amount of attention, but he has all the tools to turn into a premier pass-rusher at the DT position. i expect he'll wreak havoc this year.