Carolina’s Defensive Strategy

The Carolina Panthers have a whole lot of defensive strategizing to do before draft day. Assuming Julius Peppers won’t be back next year (as he’s all but said he’s leaving,) there will most certainly be a gaping hole on the defensive line. Who will fill this void? It won’t be easy, but Carolina can overcome the Peppers deficit with a number of strategic defensive moves.

As far as defensive ends go, look for the Panthers to select one early in the draft, possibly even coming off a trade with Peppers. The 2009 NFL Draft looks to be heavy on the defensive end side, which is nothing but good news for Carolina as the team is almost certain to lose one of the league’s best DEs with Peppers’ departure. Players like Texas’ Brian Orakpo and FSU’s Everette Brown will be hot commodities in the draft, so look for one of these names to possibly show up on Carolina’s roster in 2009.

Damione Lewis and Maake Kemoeatu are most certainly sure bets to stick with the Panthers’ defensive tackle positions, and with Charles Godfrey and Chris Harris covering the safety position, no help will be necessary in this slot, either. Carolina’s next move on the defensive side could be with drafting another top cornerback for depth, as Chris Gamble, Ken Lucas and Richard Marshall all seem somewhat iffy when it comes to the demands of the team.

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