6 defensive tackles the Carolina Panthers should target in 2022 free agency
By Miles Ruder
Carolina Panthers should consider Ndamukong Suh
At 35 years old and one of the oldest defensive players in the NFL currently, Ndamukong Suh can still wreak havoc on offensive linemen and running backs brave enough to go between the tackles.
Even after playing at a high level for 12 seasons, Suh’s production has not dipped at all with back-to-back campaigns with six sacks, a feat he hadn’t accomplished since 2014-2015. He’s also generated double-digit quarterback hits for 10 consecutive seasons and at least seven tackles for loss in each of the last three.
Drawing a player like Suh to the Carolina Panthers may be the trickiest part. They don’t exactly have the brightest future in the NFL, but what the organization does possess is a talented young defense that could learn a thing or two from a 12-year veteran.
If the Panthers can figure out the offensive side of the ball, signing Suh to a one-year deal could go a long way in giving the defense some confidence.
With Tom Brady retiring, the odds of Suh returning to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is slim, given that the team likely won’t be competing for another Super Bowl anytime soon. The Panthers are not any closer, but a pair of smart offseason additions could put Carolina in a good position to win the NFC South for the first time since 2015.
At the same time, there’s always the chance Suh rides off into the sunset, given that he has accomplished nearly everything he can in a career. However, if there’s even a faint chance the veteran decides to play one more year, he would be a welcome addition to the Panthers’ defensive front.