3 Panthers whose jobs are in jeopardy after 2020 NFL Draft

Panthers Player No. 1: Kawann Short – DT

Kawann Short is coming off the back of a serious injury that ended his 2019 campaign prematurely. He is the highest earner on the Carolina Panthers by a considerable margin and must get back to his best at the earliest possible opportunity.

There is plenty to suggest Short can continue to be productive next season at full health. He will also be fighting to earn a final year on his deal that will make him $12 million in base salary and count $20.83 million against the Panthers’ salary cap in 2021.

Any sort of regression from the player might see the Panthers cut ties with a player they drafted 44th overall in 2012. This would represent a saving of $9 million and further add to the organization’s extortionate dead cap figure.

The Panthers did make some contingency plans in case Short does not reach the level he is capable of prior to injury. They selected defensive tackle Derrick Brown No. 7 overall and spent their sixth-round selection on former Baylor standout Bravvion Roy.

While it might be a season or two before Roy is ready to start. His presence on the Panthers rotation should add a level of urgency to Short’s game. He now has two young defensive lineman alongside him that could eventually take his place in the lineup if he does not deliver.