Lack of DT in free agency...

[rmoneyg35]

I was reading an article on ESPN.com and it was talking about the lack of depth in this years free agency.The linebackers availble in this years FA isn't that great due to the lack of linebackers in the upcoming draft but we are loaded at LB so I don't think that will be a problem. The biggest problem is that there are only 29 DT avalible in this years FA. In order for our defense to be competitive we must upgrade that position and it doesn't look like we will be able to fix that problem through free agency.

The hardest hit position has been defensive tackle, with Haloti Ngata (Baltimore) and Paul Soliai (Miami) getting franchised and Richard Seymour (Oakland), Shaun Cody (Houston) and Kevin Vickerson (Denver) getting deals. Only 29 defensive tackles are left in free agency, with Barry Cofield (Giants) and Brandon Mebane (Seattle) being among the best left.

This means that we will more than likely be drafting a defensive tackle and luckily for us DT is a deep position in this years draft. I'm not saying that we will draft a DT with the first pick but it wouldn't surprise me if we did.

Because of the depth at that defensive tackle position in this years draft we won't have to get a DT with the first pick. Actually I think most of the DT I would want are projected to go in the 2nd to 3rd round. Sure Fairley and Dareus have great potential but we could get Peterson or Green and feel other needs and pick up a DT in the next round. This however could be a problem for the Panthers because most of the DT with great potential that were originally projected to go in the 3rd and 4th round are now projected to go in the 2nd round and late first thinks to some great Combine workouts. The defensive tackles that are projected to go in the 2nd-3rd round are Stephen Paea, Phil Taylor, Marvin Austin, Kenrick Ellis and Drake Nevis. I believe these guys could end up being instant starters but now most of the players have improved their stock in the combine and because of the lack of DT in free agency these guys might not make it out of the second round and that could be a HUGE problem because we dont have a 2nd round pick.I believe we need to trade down to get that second round pick if not we might not be able to draft a DT that could be starting material for this season.

What do you think about the upcoming possibility of us drafting a DT in the later rounds? do you think its a position that we can ignore with the first pick? or do you think it needs to be addressed with our first pick? Does anyone know much about the DT that could end up being drafted in later rounds?

[pantherfan81]

Love me some Phil Taylor in the 3rd if no DT for 1st overall.

[Jackofalltrades]

I want Taylor and Powe in the third.

With them I'm cool with Peterson at 1; we would have a very good defense.

[Panthro]

Hell I'd be fine going DT in the 1st and 3rd

[Marguide]

This also means that if we do pick one up in FA, we are going to be paying a steep price.

The other half of the question for FA and the draft is, how many teams need DT's?

[mmmbeans]

you always overpay for good players in FA.

[TANTRIC-NINJA]

This also means that if we do pick one up in FA, we are going to be paying a steep price.

The other half of the question for FA and the draft is, how many teams need DT's?

Ur not paying it....its the price of free agent acquisitions.

Mebane and Coefield will come at a premium so just pay it for someone proven...Fairley is a cup of Robitussin kool-aid away from a suspension and command a similar contract hard rookie cap or not...

[Rhys]

I'd feel a lot better with Peterson at #1 than Dareus or Fairley. Especially after the combine. I just don't like the idea of using the #1 overall pick on a DT. It would worry me.

[CarolinaCatBrigade]

Take a DT at #1. We need a "sure thing" to be thrown into the fire immediately. I need someone to make an immediate impact on the D-Line, or it's going to be extremely hard to watch us get pounded up the gut for 5+ YPC.

[csx]

Taylor and Powe are both classic 3-4 nose tackles. If our defense is to be based on the Jim Johnson 4-3, then neither of these guys fit it. You need mobile, quick, penetrators and those two are far from that.

[MHS831]

We pick 65th. I am sure, after two rounds, several of these will be available:

Projected late first or second round by most mocks:

*Corey Liuget

*Muhammad Wilkerson

Phil Taylor

Stephen Paea

Christian Ballard

Marvin Austin

Projected 3rd round or later by most mocks

Jurrell Casey

*Lawrence Guy

Drake Nevis

Jarvis Jenkins

[rotm]

I find it hard to believe Phil Taylor will be there with the demand from 3/4 teams so high. Marvin Austin or Stephen Paea might drop because of character and injury concerns. I'd take em both if they are there in the 3rd.

[Snake]

If a cba is signed then more will be available.

[csx]

If a cba is signed then more will be available.

And if not, it won't matter