Carolina Panthers: 4 most important players in 2020

Carolina Panthers: Player No. 2 – Kawann Short

The Carolina Panthers have revamped their struggling defense during free agency and the NFL Draft. The decision-makers made a concerted effort to go younger and whether this move pays off in the short-term remains to be seen.

A series of veteran players were either released or found new homes on the free-agent market. While this might be a talented group of individuals. Their experience in an NFL setting in relatively low and those with knowhow will need to become not only productive players. But also take on the mantle of leadership during this uncertain period for the organization.

Defensive tackle Kawann Short has the opportunity to lead from the front. He is expected to make a full return after ending the season on the injured reserve list early in 2019 with a torn rotator cuff.

If Short manages to return anything like the player of old. He is going to be an indispensable member of this unit in 2020. The Panthers will put him alongside No. 7 overall pick Derrick Brown to form a tandem that has the potential to transform their run defense.

This was one of their most concerning areas last season. And credit to the franchise for making the necessary moves to improve in this particular area. Short cannot be left one-on-one by an offensive line given his ability to eat up space and wreak havoc on any given down.

Short faces a pivotal year in terms of his future. He is comfortably the team’s highest earner and will count almost $20 million against the Panthers’ salary cap in 2021.

If he fails to live up to lofty expectations, then this is likely to be his final campaign in Carolina.