Is Panthers GM Dave Gettleman preparing to take advantage of a historically deep 2015 Draft class at the defensive tackle position? After meeting with Iowa defensive tackle Carl Davis last week, the Panthers recently worked out another top defensive tackle, Jordan Phillips from Oklahoma.
Like Carl Davis, Jordan Phillips played as a 2-gapping nose tackle in Oklahoma’s 3-4 defense. And like Davis, Phillips is also a true "hog mollie", as he has enormous size at 6-foot-6 inches and 334 pounds. However, unlike Davis who is a much better pass rusher, Phillips is a true run stuffing nose tackle. His role in the NFL will be simple -- take up as much space as possible and stop any runs that come up the middle. Phillips projects as a 3-4 or 4-3 nose tackle in the NFL. Some analysts have compared his size and skillset to Vince Wilfork.
Watch how many runs Phillips is able to stuff behind, at or near the line of scrimmage in this game against Clemson. He also got penetration as a stand-up A-gap pass rusher:
So why are the Panthers showing so much interest in these early round defensive tackles? Many analysts think the 2015 Draft class is one of the deepest at the defensive tackle position in the past several years. There is a high possibility that several potential first round talents like Phillips and Davis will fall to the second round this year, due to the glut of talent at the position. Dave Gettleman is no stranger to selecting "falling" first round talents in the second round, as he selected both Kony Ealy and Kawann Short in the second rounds of the 2013 and 2014 Drafts.
The Panthers also need to eventually get younger at the defensive tackle position. Although Star Lotulelei and Kawann Short are the starters, the Panthers relied heavily on a four-man rotation on the interior of their 4-3 defensive line in 2014:
Player |
Defensive snaps |
Defensive snap % |
Kawann Short |
587 |
57.1 |
Dwan Edwards |
578 |
56.2 |
Star Lotulelei |
477 |
46.4 |
Colin Cole |
369 |
35.9 |
Star Lotulelei’s numbers are obviously a bit lower due to injuries throughout the year, but it’s still interesting to see that the Panthers didn’t have a single defensive tackle play more than 60 percent of the total defensive snaps. This makes sense because both Ron Rivera and Sean McDermott heavily believe in rotation on the defensive line, to keep linemen "fresh" later on in games.
However, it’s hard seeing defensive tackles Dwan Edwards and Colin Cole as a part of the rotation past next year. Edwards is currently on a two year deal and will turn 34 next season, while Cole is on a one year deal and will turn 35. If the Panthers add a defensive tackle to their rotation, both Edwards and Cole could be more effective playing fewer snaps.
A defensive tackle in the early rounds of the 2015 NFL Draft will not be a popular pick, but it makes a lot of sense when looking at the long-term future on defense. For the third straight year, all signs are pointing to another potential "blue goose" selection in the early rounds of the Draft.