Best starter at every Carolina Panthers position in franchise history
By Jason Huber
Kris Jenkins – Former Carolina Panthers DT
There haven’t been too many dominant defensive tackles in Carolina Panthers history, so what Kris Jenkins did in his time with the franchise is extremely impressive.
Kawann Short can also easily take this title. He was a dominant figure that made an exceptional impression before injuries blighted his final two seasons with the team and he was released as part of cost-cutting measures ahead of the final year of his deal.
Drafted by Carolina in 2001, Jenkins wasn’t the most “flashy” player but he was very good.
From 2001-07 with the Panthers, Jenkins was a three-time Pro Bowler and named first-team All-Pro twice. His stout presence against the run was nothing short of phenomenal and this was matched by a surprising ability to generate pressure from the interior when opportunities came along.
Jenkins is eighth in team history with 47 tackles for loss and helped lead Carolina to the 2003 Super Bowl. Hopes remain high that Derrick Brown can make the necessary leap forward and enter this conversation over time – something that would make all the difference to a defensive front that lost the services of DaQuan Jones and Haason Reddick this offseason.
Honorable mention: Kawann Short