ILB Depth

[Seltzer]

First of all, Luke Kuechly and Shaq Thompson are a solid pair of starting ILB's, and they will hopefully help to comprise a strong Front 7 for 2019.  Our overall linebacking group looks really strong.

At OLB/EDGE, the team looks to have solid starters and depth: (Bruce Irvin, Mario Addison, Efe Obada, Bryan Cox, Jr., Brian Burns, Marquis Haynes, & Christian Miller).  These guys will also be part of a rotation and hopefully a lot of them will make an impact and get playing time.  The rotational nature of the position also means most if not all of them will make the team.

The ILB's are going to be more every-down type players, which means in a perfect world, Kuechly and Thompson are playing on most downs.

Which is good because the depth at ILB as of now isn't nearly as good as OLB/EDGE... the primary guys for in competition for depth (at least as it seems today are Jermaine Carter, Jr., Jared Norris, and Andre Smith. 

Jermaine Carter had a great preseason last year and played some significant snaps when Shaq Thompson went down late last year.  Although he missed OTA's with an injury, I think he has great shot at making the roster based on last year.  He was our 5th Rounder last year, and I think would be the logical choice to play along side Kuechly and Thompson in a 4-3 set.  He has shown ability both in rushing the QB and in coverage.

Jared Norris was resigned to a two-year deal, and along with Colin Jones is one of our core special teamers.  He is almost certain to make the roster as well.  Much like Colin Jones, though, him playing regular defense isn't ideal, but he has proven to be a major asset on ST.

Andre Smith was our 7th Rounder last year (2nd of the KB comp picks), although he slipped in the draft primarily due to a string of injuries, which also plagued him his rookie year.  He played well when healthy in college, and has the talent to be on a NFL roster.  Before a bad knee-injury his senior year, he was projected to be a 2nd Day pick.  He probably has an outside chance at making the roster (he did last year), but at the least I'm sure the team would like him on the PS to continue to hopefully stay healthy and develop.

The rest 90 man roster also consists of long-shots including Brandon Chubb (older brother of Bradley Chubb- has bounced around some PS), Jonathan Celestin (2018 UDFA- played decent in the preseason last year for Falcons but didn't make roster), Jordan Kunaszyk (Rookie UDA who played at Cal- Rivera's alma mater), Sione Teuhema (signed after rookie minicamp tryout- played well in AAF), and Antwione Williams (Lions 5th Rounder in 2016- played sparingly as rookie and has bounced around PS since then).

The upside for most of these guys would be to make the Panthers (or someone else's) PS and they will probably need to look good on ST and while getting backup reps in the preseason to have any chance.

[KillerKat]

ILB depth is very concerning

[LinvilleGorge]

I may be incredibly naive on this one, but I'm actually quite comfortable with Carter and Smith as backups. That very well may be due to the realization that anyone outside of Luke us going to be a massive downgrade.

[07579394]

Following with interest on Kunaszyk,it's said he seems to be another tackle machine.

[Harbingers]

I still don’t know why we didn’t keep Mayo if we knew were going to do this defensive change.

[PantherOnTheProwl1523]

9 hours ago, pennywise said:

Just wait until Lac cut Thomas Davis. We’ll bring the stud back.

[ColumbusCounty]

9 hours ago, pennywise said:

Just wait until Lac cut Thomas Davis. We’ll bring the stud back.

I wouldn't bet against Thomas Davis. He's not getting cut. 

This move still baffles me though ... he probably would have played for vet min just to be a part of the team. He's not as fast as he was in his prime...neither is Olsen, but he obviously still has ability. I know we wanted to get a better look at Shaq but damn I didn't see a downside in signing him for depth atleast. 

[mc52beast]

Just the nature of the beast.. can’t have great depth everywhere so you pick your poison. If Luke goes down there’s no replacing him, just hope he can stay healthy and not get another concussion.

[t96]

Any chance Aints cut Klein ? Hasn’t done much there and they’re paying him a lot.

[TheSpecialJuan]

Antwione Williams 

[Shocker]

Marty...what if Luke goes down?

[Harbingers]

53 minutes ago, Shocker said:

Marty...what if Luke goes down?

More Vader choke hand, less pointing. 

Seeiously why did we let mayo go, could have gotten him for 3 mil. Can fill both Luke or Shaq’s roll, in a unfortunate situation. Fug you Hurney. 

[KillerKat]

I don't think Norris should be automatic just because of ST. 3-4 needs more LBs and they need to be able to play the position. If he can't play that good enough, it just makes the depth there worse. We need to pick up someone because I don't see a good backup other than Carter who is hurt atm.

[KillerKat]

Looking at free agency, Manti Te'o, Will Compton, Nate Palmer, and Hayes Pullard seem to be best available. Guess we'll wait after cuts if we sign anyone else though.