With only five picks in the 2013 NFL Draft, the Carolina Panthers needed to be efficient with their selections and narrow their focus to specific team needs. The Panthers have struggled defensively over the past two seasons despite an outstanding group of linebackers and two solid pass rushers on the defensive line. The defensive deficiencies have been a result of inconsistent play at the defensive tackle position as well as in the secondary. In the end, no team addressed their weaknesses as efficiently as the Panthers.

Top Prospect

Former Utah defensive tackle Star Lotulelei should have been one of the top three players off the board in this year’s draft. However, during a medical examination prior to the combine, doctors found that Lotulelei had an unusually low ejection fraction in the left ventricle of his heart. In English, that means that his heart pumps less blood than it should. He was later medically cleared and participated in his pro-day at Utah. Still, the concern that his heart disorder could eventually become an issue scared the teams at the top of the draft away. 

Lotulelei’s slide down the draft boards must have been a delight to Dave Gettleman, general manager of the Panthers. It’s not often that one of the elite players in a draft class falls out of the top ten. What makes Lotulelei such an impact player on the defensive line is his ability to stop the run. At 6’2” and 311 pounds, he is truly a monster that clogs the middle of the line and forces running backs off-tackle or to the outside. Read any analysis on Lotulelei, and you’ll see the same word used to describe his style of play: violent. He attacks his blockers with tremendous force and tosses them out of the way. Lotulelei also boasts good play recognition and is able to snuff out screens before they get started. 

There is always a chance that Lotulelei’s heart condition will become a problem and his career will probably be slightly shorter than average, but right now, he is medically cleared to play. Simply put, the Panthers got the steal of the draft at the 14th pick. 

Addressing Positions of Need

After the first two rounds were completed, it was clear that the Panthers knew exactly what position they wanted to upgrade via the draft. The interior defensive line issues that had plagued the team over the last two seasons should no longer be a concern. Carolina followed up the Lotulelei pick with another defensive tackle. This time it was Kawann Short, a 6’3”, 299-pounder from Purdue University.

Short is a late first round talent that slipped into the second due to concerns about his conditioning and inconsistent motor. When he’s on, he uses his speed to break down running plays and get to the quarterback. He has strong hands to move blockers and disrupt plays. When he’s not on his game, however, Short struggles to find motivation and can look very pedestrian on tape. He also gets tired quickly and may not ever be a three-down player in the NFL.

Still, Short has special talent and ability. Together with Lotulelei, he should help the Panthers improve a defense that desperately needs to play meaner up front. And, if the Carolina coaching staff can get through to him about his attitude and physical condition, then look out. 

Biggest Sleeper 

In the late rounds of the draft, the three things to look for in a prospect are exceptional size, exceptional speed and players that fit into your system. The Panthers nailed two of the three when they drafted running back Kenjon Barner out of Oregon. During the 2012 season, Barner rushed for 1,767 yards and found the end zone a jaw-dropping 21 times. Read those stats again, and I’m sure you’ll be asking how this guy could have possibly fallen into the sixth round.

Make no mistake, Barner has good top-end speed…just ask any of the Pac-12 defenders who are still trying to catch him. He uses it well too, as his ability to make opponents miss is one of the first things that sticks out on film. He also fits into Carolina’s offense perfectly. The fast-pace Oregon Ducks often use read-option and misdirection plays similar to those the Panthers have recently implemented with Cam Newton running the show.

One problem with Barner, and there are a few, is that he will choose to step out of bounds far more often than not. This may be due to the fact that he also struggles to hold onto the ball. Furthermore, he has the tendency to dance around in the backfield rather than settling for a short gain. Scouts seem to feel that his success at Oregon was more a result of the system and will not translate well to the NFL. Still, Barner is an electric player that could see adequate playing time with the proper coaching and could replace DeAngelo Williams sooner rather than later.

With a limited number of picks, the Panthers found excellent value in this year’s draft. Carolina began the process with a plan to solidify the interior of its defensive line and stuck to it by using its first two picks on talented defensive tackles. The defense, which has struggled in recent seasons, should now have the tools it needs to make an impact on Sundays.