Grading every Panthers positional group after Week 1 of free agency

(Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports) Morgan Fox
(Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports) Morgan Fox /
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(Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports) Derrick Brown /

Carolina Panthers defensive tackles

The defensive tackle position entered the offseason as a place of hope and looked to be one player away from being a true nightmare for opposing defenses. With the available stars no longer on the free-agent market, the Carolina Panthers have been frustratingly silent and too loud in all the wrong ways.

The position was certainly not the best in the world last season but showed flashes of what it could be with rising star Derrick Brown and a great rotational piece thrust into the starting role in Zach Kerr. That all changed with the shocking release of the veteran at the start of free agency.

With that release, the Panthers only have three recognized defensive tackles on the roster and only one that had meaningful snaps last season. The front office must have seen something in these players, or a hidden gem in the upcoming draft to give them the confidence to cut a great player like Kerr.

Behind Brown, there is no clear depth on this roster let alone another starting player. Which makes the release of Kerr all the more puzzling.

Grade: D

Gone are the days of Star Latouleilei and Kawaan Short clogging up the middle and the Panthers did nothing but get worse at the position this offseason.