Probable starters: Damione Lewis, Maake Kemoeatu

Carolina made a big splash this offseason by trading their Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kris Jenkins to the Jets. You can argue that this was a poor decision, with Jenkins being such a great player, but Jenkins never really performed at the level that he had in the 2002 and 2003 seasons after having back-to-back season ending leg injuries. Also the picks that Carolina acquired from the Jets allowed them to trade back into the first round and select Jeff Otah.

For most of the offseason, the defensive tackle position for Carolina looked pretty grim. With Jenkins gone, last years backup Damione Lewis would most likely fill the hole. Lewis has been in the league for eight seasons and hasn’t exactly lived up to the slot the Rams drafted him (No. 12 in 2001). Lewis has shown some bright spots, but there will be some questions as to how he will perform next season.

On the other side Carolina will start Maake Kemoeatu, a big free agent pickup by Carolina in 2006. Like some of the other big name players Carolina signed that season, Kemoeatu didn’t live up to expectations either, having a very average 2006 and a slightly better 2007 season. Kemoeatu didn’t have any sacks last season, but he is primarily a run stuffer rather than a pass rusher. With the two guys Carolina has starting, Kemoeatu will be the big physical presence on the defense (he’s 6-5 and weighs 345), while the smaller Lewis (6-2, 301) will look to put pressure on opposing defenses.

The expectation was that Carolina would try and grab a defensive tackle in either the second or third round of April’s draft to help back up the depleted DT position, but they failed to do so waiting until the sixth round to draft DT Nick Hayden out of Wisconsin. This meant that they had only four DTs on the roster. So Carolina went and picked up three more defensive ends: Ian Scott and Darwin Walker from da Bears, and Steve Williams. Walker, a starter in Philadelphia, adds the pass rush needed at the DT position, while Scott and Williams add depth. Walker will most likely share time with Damione Lewis, possibly even compete for the starting job come training camp.

While the position doesn’t have the playmakers, the Panthers have managed to deepen the position by adding Scott, Walker, and Williams. As of now, this looks to be Carolina’s main weakness on the defense.

Overall Grade: C+

Tags: damione lewis, Defensive Tackle, maake kemoeatu, Position Analysis