Carolina Panthers Week 1 roster prediction – Defense

Defensive Tackle (4)

Vernon Butler, Kyle Love, Dontari Poe, Kawann Short

A cloud of uncertainty blurs the expected production from some of those relegated to the defensive line middle. Mainstays Kawann Short and Kyle Love appear to be set but both Vernon Butler and Dontari Poe have uncertain futures.

Each is projected here to make the final 53-man roster but the change to more 3-4 fronts could have just as much to do with sack production as it does a lack of consistency in the middle. One guaranteed way to have your best on the field is to subtract the amount of players you need at the position.

If Butler and Poe fail to produce, a heavy rotation of Love and Short within a series featuring the new front is what fans can expect from this defense.