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Defensive End: Where things stand

davos

By davos,
in Carolina Panthers

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davos Grand Master

davos

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Here's how I would frame our current DE situation:

-Addison has proven to be a great part of the rotation for us, but he still is on the undersized end and doesn't fill the 3-Down/pass rusher+run stopper combo.  He's however excelled and rose above being a speed-rushing specialist.  Overall, the second best asset on our DL behind Short.  

-Peppers was dominant in his youth here but at this stage in his career, we aren't using him that high % of snaps anymore.  Highly effective but we need a guy to take on a big role to compliment the Peppers-Addison combo.

-Wes Horton is a guy who I've never taken a huge liking to but he has had moments where he stepped up and was productive for us in a decent role.  He quietly had 5.5 sacks last year and fits that 3-down 4-3 DE mold.  The thing is-- he can look wildly inconsistent at times.  Rivera has always seemed to be a big fan.    

-Dasheon Hall is a guy we traded many picks up for.  He meets a lot of criteria for what you look for in the 4-3 DE role but ends are known to take a few years to grow into the position. I'm holding my breath he can contribute this season.  

Depth/Fighting for spots: Bryan Cox Jr, Zach Moore, Efe Odaba

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What I've seen many folks mention is that it won't help us to grab another rookie to groom, but as things stand, we've got 3 vets that lead the rotation and Hall was basically redshirted last season and primed for an expanded role.  I don't think it is out of the question that we grab another rookie type if Hall's role is expanded; we carried both Cox Jr and Zach Moore on the active roster at times.  This is not a good DE class but if Hall doesn't make a big jump role wise, there is still room to draft a guy or scoop one up around cut season.  My biggest concern is given Peppers role, Addison's style, and Horton's abilities, we don't have a solid run stopping unit here and may not generate consistent enough pressure.  We got a ton of sacks last year but consistent pressure was still an issue.  

I'm personally a big fan of Hall's so am excited to see what he can do; I.E.: 

 

--

In a seemingly weak class, does anyone have sleepers?  Our 2nd third rounder or 5th could be a spot to grab a guy.  

Discuss.

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Saca312 Experienced

Saca312

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11 minutes ago, davos said:

doesn't fill the 3-Down/pass rusher+run stopper combo

I mean Addison was quite elite as a pass rusher and a run stopper. He was consistent and great. After all, he did get 11 sacks on the year and proved to be solid.

I do agree we need Harold Landry in the first, or at least another DE in this draft.

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davos Grand Master

davos

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20 minutes ago, Saca312 said:

I mean Addison was quite elite as a pass rusher and a run stopper. He was consistent and great. After all, he did get 11 sacks on the year and proved to be solid.

I do agree we need Harold Landry in the first, or at least another DE in this draft.

Like I said, he's risen above his early career style but he has a ceiling as a run blocker; it's pretty evident.  Would not classify him as elite by any means, but again, best asset on the DL behind Short.  

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iamhubby1 Veteran

iamhubby1

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    With Pep, Addy, and Horton we have our vets. With Hall, Cox Jr., and Obada, we have our developmental guys. IMO, we need to find out what our kids are capable of. If we bring in any more DEs, it will just dig into their development time. 

 

    The way I see it. This year we are who we are at DE. We have too many other needs to spend precious capital on DE this year. We also have 3 DTs that are capable of being disruptive in the passing game as well. 

 

    Best case, the kids develop, and we are good to go. Worse case, the kids continue to struggle, and we may have to rethink the position next year.

 

    tl/dr version. Chances are, we are not getting a high draft pick at DE this year anyway. Might as well hope the kids develop, cuz it is probably how it is going to play out.

 

    I know some folks will not be happy with this situation. I just don't see the need to worry. But then again. My bracket was shot last weekend. So I am still in mourning, and probably not thinking clearly.

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davos Grand Master

davos

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Maybe I'm just looking at things differently--if you want the defense to excel, you need consistent pressure up front and even though we got a lot of sacks last season, the pressure wasn't always there (especially when playing the quick dunk EP offenses).  

And jokes aside, I didn't realize Cox, Odaba, & Moore were thought so highly of.  I personally see no issue with getting someone with more upside alongside Hall.  Three vets are in main rotation, why not get one if we find the right guy? 

I think Rasheem Green would be the type late round 3 but outside of him, we're basically looking at Chad Thomas in the mid rounds.  There's also this Rotimi guy out of ODU and RJ Mcintosh that could be our last pick or a UDFA.   It's really hard to find a fit this year in the draft which is unfortunate.  

My sleeper: Panthers were out in SD recently and this is a kid I'm thinking we're looking at: 

Marcell Frazier out of Mizzou.  He's more NFL ready than either Ealy or Sam were coming out of that program and can fit in as a base-end sooner than later.  Nothing flashy though, but he meets the bend, quickness, and size criteria you look for as a baseline in a 4-3.  

https://www.rockmnation.com/mizzou-in-the-pros/2018/3/22/17150212/marcell-frazier-nfl-draft-2018-defensive-end-missouri

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-missouri/article206591554.html

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Nails Newbie

Nails

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13 minutes ago, CarolinaNCSU said:

Unless a guy falls to us, I don't trust Hurney to make a DE selection that will matter this year (or maybe any year).  Our young guys are going to have to step up, or we're going to have to make a Jared Allen type move. 

?

Kraken

 

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