Addition by subtraction
The upgrades will start with the loss of former first-round pick, Vernon Butler. The Panthers already announced that they will not pick up his fifth-year option, and with the lack of productivity throughout his time with the Panthers it’s unlikely they’ll want him back. That, in conjunction with the underwhelming stats from the unit as a whole (besides sacks), point to the high probability of the Panthers drafting a monster defensive lineman in the first round of the 2020 draft. Someone to be groomed behind the current trio and can fill in at all three spots.
Unless some promise is demonstrated in these last two weeks the next people to go would be the last two nose tackles currently on the depth chart. Poe was having a fair year until he got injured, so it only makes sense that they’ll want him back. It also makes sense to release the last two nose tackles to make room for more promising defensive prospects. If the team doesn’t draft a nose tackle then Love will definitely be favored to stay because he has the most experience with the team. The team might use that extra defensive spot to find a strong safety to groom behind Reid.
I don’t see the Panthers using two of their first three draft picks to add to the defensive line, but it is very likely they’ll double dip with defensive linemen in this year’s draft. The Panthers might even get lucky and pick up a stellar sixth-rounder like they did this year.