BR: The Strongest NFL Team at Every Position Group

[Saca312]

Carolina makes the list. You'll never guess which position it is:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2641781-the-strongest-nfl-team-at-every-position-group-for-2016

 

 

Linebacker: Carolina Panthers

Early in the 2015 season, we found out that the Carolina Panthers defense—minus middle linebacker Luke Kuechly for three games—was damn good. Led by Thomas Davis, this was a club that found other players to step up.

With Kuechly back in the lineup, the team reminded many that it has the best group of starting linebackers in the league. The three-time first-team All-Pro totaled a team-best 118 tackles while Davis finished second on the club with 105 stops. The latter added 5.5 sacks and four forced fumbles, and both Kuechly and Davis each picked off four passes.

Rookie Shaq Thompson also made his presence felt with 50 tackles and a sack in 14 games, making 10 starts in his debut campaign, and 2013 fifth-round draft choice A.J. Klein added 55 stops, one sack, an interception and a forced fumble.

The playmaking ability of this unit can’t be underestimated. Kuechly, Davis and Thompson, all former first-round picks, set the tempo for the team’s defense while the underrated Klein provides proven depth.

 

 

[Mr. Scot]

I'm shocked.

[pantherclaw]

Panthers have good linebackers? 

Geez, where has this guy been the last 20 years

[uncfan888]

We have the best set of quarterbacks too. 

[Camp Fodder]

Surprised to see us for honorable mention at RB.    

[PoundCat]

 

Surprised to see us for honorable mention at RB.    

That's probably a reflection of our strong run game overall, whether Stew gets a lot of individual credit or not.

[The Lobo]

I hope we can retain Klein when his contract is up. I don't think we will though because he could start for a lot of teams and he will want money (which he should get). Here's to hoping he stays!

[Jangler]

I just finished my first season on Madden, al I drafted was back-ups. So yeah, I knew this.

[bandu]

yo,yeah,serious?

[tukafan21]

The Patriots getting QB over us is a joke, we have the reigning MVP, maybe the best backup in the league, and a decent third stringer who contributes at other positions as well

[1989]

I didn't realize Klein had better stats than Thompson.

[KB_fan]

The Panthers' depth is pretty awesome.  By my count we have 5 - 7 positions where we are best, or near best in the league:

LB (DUH)

QB

DT

The interior of our Oline:  Center & OG

and RB:  Obviously some of our run game success is due to Cam, but the combination of Stew, Tolbert & Fozzy is pretty darn effective. Not flashy, but gets the job done consistently week in and week out and opens up our offense tremendously.

One could also consider adding TE to the list just because of the sheer dominance of Greg, but he's kind of a one man show.  Dickson & Simonson wouldn't normally make the list.  Hopefully Beau Sandland balls out and gives us another position where we are stacked.

 

It will be interesting to see how our WRs rate this season.  KB has the flash & talent...  combine him with Ginn and a still-improving Funchess & Brown (or possibly one of the other guys like Hill or Garrett that we're hoping will break out).  Wouldn't it be amazing if by the end of the season they're talking (with shock) about us having one of the best WR groups in the league.  It could happen...,, we've got a lot of great pieces.  The trick will be making them fit together and taking advantage of their differing talents.  Physicality... size... speed .... routes.  

Losing KB last season may end up being one of the best things that happened to us as a franchise.  It was a clear reminder that success doesn't just depend on one or two guys with mega-talent (though you DO need a few guys like Cam & Luke!) but that sometimes the depth & versatility of a position group is what makes or breaks the team.  This is where DG excels,  He is constantly working to upgrade the bottom third of the roster.  We keep getting better at the bottom, while still excelling at the top.