4 Carolina Panthers players who could benefit from recent cuts
By Dean Jones
Zach Kerr – Carolina Panthers DT
Releasing Kawann Short was not a slight on the supreme service he’s given the Carolina Panthers throughout a glittering career that came with two Pro Bowl selections. It was more a case of money and the defensive tackle’s inability to stay healthy over the last two years.
Carolina’s defensive front proved in 2020 that there will be life after Short, with one player, in particular, performing well above expectations that cushioned the blow of the veteran’s early trip to the reserve/injured list for the second straight campaign.
Zach Kerr signed a two-year deal in free agency last spring and made the most out of his opportunity in Short’s absence. The former Delaware standout was a key component in the unit becoming a force to be reckoned with over the second half of the season and this leaves absolutely no doubt he can be a major piece in the puzzle next time around.
Kerr recorded 32 tackles, two sacks, nine quarterback hits, two tackles for loss, one forced fumble, two passes defended, and 13 pressures in 2020. The lineman didn’t miss a single tackle attempt and attained an eye-catching 84.1 grade from Pro Football Focus to further highlight his surprising influence from 37 percent of Carolina’s snaps on defense.
Providing Efe Obada is brought back and another player is brought in to complement what the Panthers already have, the sky is the limit for this group.