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Panthers failed to put many points on the board DJ Moore Jersey 2019 , there were several statistical happenings worthy of note. The defensive side of the ball provided most of these. Luke Kuechly and Kawann Short repeatedly made their respective presences felt and that resulted in the duo being the top two ranked players on the Panthers defense according to Pro Football Focus. Kuechly amassed 13 tackles en route to his team high grade and sank several hundred thousand Carolina hearts as he hobbled off the field with a lower leg injury. Thankfully, he was able to return to the field to finish his bidding and now sits second in the league in total tackles. For his part, Kawann Short terrorized the shaky interior of the Cowboys offensive line and finished the day with a game high two sacks and four quarterback hits. He was one of eight players to tally a pair of sacks in the NFL’s opening weekend. He was joined in the sack column by Mario Addison and Wes Horton, who each had 1.5 sacks, as well as Shaq Thompson who had a sack of his own to go along with his 9 tackles. All of that culminated in a Panthers defense that finished week 1 ranked third in both yards and points allowed. The offense was unsurprisingly led by quarterback Cam Newton, who accounted for nearly 75% of the Panthers’ total yardage. Newton put up ho-hum numbers as a passer but did a lot of damage as part of the Panthers main triumvirate of runners alongside Christian McCaffrey and CJ Anderson. The trio combined for 143 yards on 30 carries, a healthy 4.77 yards per tote. McCaffrey also reprised his role earning the team’s most targets, finishing the contest with 6 catches on 9 targets for an additional 45 yards receiving. Devin Funchess led the Panthers aerial attack in the second half after tight end Greg Olsen left with a foot injury. After failing to secure either of his two official targets in the first half, the third year pro hauled in all three of his targets for 41 yards in the game’s second half.Notable Snap Counts9 players were on the field for 100% of the team’s snaps: Cam Newton Blue DJ Moore Jersey , Taylor Moton, Greg Van Roten, Ryan Kalil, Trai Turner, James Bradberry, Donte Jackson, Mike Adams, and Shaq Thompson.McCaffrey dominated the backfield snaps, taking the field for 57 snaps compared to Anderson’s 12.Rookie DJ Moore was on the field for 17 snaps Blue Christian McCaffrey Jersey , fourth among the team’s wide receiversColin Jones got all 21 of the snaps missed by starting safety Da’Norris Searcy. Rookie Rashaan Gaulden did not see the field on defense, but did get 9 snaps on special teams. The fanbase is divided between offensive tackle and edge rusher when asked which is the bigger need."WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections Keep Sounding PodcastPanthers 2019 NFL DraftCSR Film RoomSB Nation FanPulsePanthers 2019 NFL Draft#FanPulse: Panthers fans believe that edge rusher is the team’s biggest need ahead of draft weekendNew,32commentsThe fanbase is divided between offensive tackle and edge rusher when asked which is the bigger need.EDTShareTweetShareShare#FanPulse: Panthers fans believe that edge rusher is the team’s biggest need ahead of draft weekendPanthers fans, sign up for FanPulse here!In a recent FanPulse survey, Panthers fans answered the question ‘What is the Carolina Panthers’ biggest need?’ and the votes were primarily split between two options: offensive tackle and edge rusher. According to our participants, the Panthers’ biggest need heading into the 2019 NFL Draft is an edge rusher.Offensive tackle wasn’t too far behind the top spot, though, and there’s a good reason why. The Panthers have a major need at both positions, and will hopefully address those needs with some of their seven picks in the draft this weekend. But who should they draft? We’ve gone back and forth Christian McCaffrey Jersey 2019 , and around and around over and over again for the past several months trying to answer this question, and we still don’t have a definitive answer. But hey, that’s what makes this whole thing fun, right? (That is why y’all like this right? Just to argue with each other?)2019 SB Nation NFL mock draftCheck out this exclusive recap of the 2019 SB Nation writers’ mock draft from our podcast network!Here’s a short list of prospects at each position that the Panthers can — and should — consider drafting with the No. 16 pick in the draft. (Full disclosure: The players are listed in alphabetical order to avoid bias.)Edge rusherBrian Burns, Florida State: The Panthers have said multiple times this offseason that they want to use a hybrid defense that contains both traditional 4-3 and 3-4 looks depending on the in-game situation. They’ve backed this sentiment up with the addition of veteran Bruce Irvin in free agency, and they could continue building on this philosophy with the selection of Burns. Burns would be a good addition as a pass rusher and could line up at 3-4 outside linebacker on Day 1 for the Panthers, and would be a solid rotational piece during his rookie season. If he’s there at No. 16, the Panthers should seriously consider writing his name on their card.Clelin Ferrell, Clemson: Ferrell is a more traditional 4-3 defensive end Jordan Scarlett Carolina Panthers Jersey , but the Panthers need some of those in the worst way. Currently there are only five edge rushers on the roster: The aforementioned Irvin, Mario Addison, Efe Obada, Bryan Cox Jr. and Marquis Haynes. I’m not sold on this group being good enough to compete in the NFC South, and I believe if the Panthers want to draft a pass rusher then they should seriously consider taking Ferrell if he is available.Montez Sweat, Mississippi State: Reports are starting to materialize about concerns over Sweat’s health that have dropped him completely off of some draft boards. The Panthers should do their due diligence to find out if these concerns are valid or if we’re looking at a repeat of the 2014 draft when Star Lotulelei fell into the Panthers’ lap over a ‘heart condition’. If it’s the former, then the Panthers should wait and see if Sweat is still there in the second (or even third) round. If it’s the latter, then Hurney should probably sprint to the podium with Sweat’s name written on the card.