6 defensive tackles the Carolina Panthers should target in 2022 free agency
By Miles Ruder
Carolina Panthers should consider Sebastian Joseph-Day
Like Larry Ogunjobi, Sebastian Joseph-Day was having a career year with the Los Angeles Rams in 2021, but a torn pectoral spoiled the second half of his season. He started each of their first seven games, but was placed on injured reserve for the rest of the campaign and only returned for the Super Bowl to play three snaps.
Los Angeles is likely to go all-in again next season and attempt to re-sign some of their key pieces in Odell Beckham Jr. and Von Miller. With that, the Rams might not have enough money left to resign Joseph-Day, despite him playing a huge role in the team’s success early in the season.
Joseph-Day is a growing player with potential that could fit right in with the promising, young Carolina Panthers defense. With the Rams this past season, he generated three sacks and was on pace for a career-high in tackles (92) and tackles for loss (12).
Despite playing in the shadows of Aaron Donald, Joseph-Day operates well on his own and can work in tandem with other defensive linemen to free up rush lanes. Already in his career, he has proven to be an effective run stopper, and paired together with Derrick Brown, the Panthers will have a virtual brick wall on the defensive interior.
One way the Panthers could lure Joseph-Day to Carolina is through Morgan Fox, who the Panthers signed in 2021 from the Rams and was remarkably useful on defense. He could help the team recruit his former teammate if there is interest.