CHARLOTTE, N.C. – It took former Carolina Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman less than two minutes to use the 14th pick of the 2014 draft on Utah defensive tackle Star Lotulelei.
He said that “nfl youth jerseys cheap Star set the bar” for the draft class. He insisted Lotulelei was a premier interior pass-rushernfl replica jerseys cheap
Instead, Lotulelei became a space-eater and second-round pick Kawann Short became the premier pass-rusher. Short got the big second contract (five years, $80.5 million) a year ago, and Lotulelei appears headed for free agency barring a last-minute deal with the Panthers. 
The draft: It’s not a replica nfl jerseys great year for defensive tackles in terms of premier pass-rushers.cheap nfl youth jerseys However, there are solid options such as Alabama’s Da’Ron Payne, Washington’s Vita Vea, Michigan’s Maurice Hurst and Florida’s Taven Bryan in the first two rounds. Gettleman certainly didn’t hesitate to draft an end in 2016 when he had two solid ones on his roster from the 2013 draft. Carolina has bigger needs, but you don’t pass on quality tackles if they are available.
Final thought: I still believe the Panthers will make a run at re-signing Lotulelei even if it means waiting to see what other teams are offering. nfl replica jerseys There are some good, young tackles who could be signed at a lower price. Among them are Dominique Easley (Rams), DaQuan Jones (Titans), Justin Ellis (Chiefs), Dontari Poe (Falcons) and Bennie Logan (Chiefs). I wouldn’t rule out using the 24th pick on Payne or Vea if they fell that far and Lotulelei is on another roster. As general manager Marty Hurney once said when asked about his philosophy: Make your strengths stronger. Tackle has been a strength.
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