Does Yannick Ngakoue Fit With the Panthers?
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It's no secret that the Carolina Panthers are in need of some pass-rush help. Aside from Brian Burns, there isn't much of a pass-rushing presence on the current roster.
Derrick Brown, Marquis Haynes Sr., Yetur Gross-Matos, Henry Anderson, and Amaré Barno combined for just 10.5 sacks last season, five of which came from Haynes. Meanwhile, newcomers Shy Tuttle and DeShawn Williams combined for 6.5 sacks.
The Panthers hope third-round draft pick DJ Johnson can be the answer they've been searching for but they know it's going to be the long game with him. He's not going to come in right away and produce double-digit sacks. It's a position he is still learning to play full-time and making the adjustment to the NFL is going to provide some challenges.
So, should the Panthers scan the free agent market for some help? Absolutely, at the right price that is. Just because Carolina has the 2nd-most cap space available doesn't mean they need to waste it. One name that continues to be linked to the Panthers is Yannick Ngakoue. Tyler Sullivan of CBS Sports is the latest NFL analyst to believe the Panthers are a good landing spot for the 28-year-old pass rusher.
"I don't think the Panthers will be mistaken for a Super Bowl contender in 2023, but they are building a solid foundation after selecting Bryce Young with the No. 1 overall pick and play in an easy division which makes a path to the postseason plausible. This could also be a reunion for Ngakoue with head coach Frank Reich, who he played under in Indianapolis for a time last season before Reich was let go. With the Colts, he totaled 9.5 sacks in 15 games. He'd join a blossoming Panthers defense that already boasts Brian Burns and Jaycee Horn, and would be a solid situational pass rusher. Carolina also has the second-most cap space in the NFL at the moment."
The connection likely stems from Frank Reich being with Ngakoue last season in Indianapolis but the Colts ran a completely different scheme under Gus Bradley. The Colts were primarily a four-down alignment where Ejiro Evero will be operating a 3-4 here in Carolina.
That doesn't mean they won't consider him but both the coaching staff and the front office have repeatedly stated that they want bigger bodies up front and guys that can set the edge. Ngakoue (6'2", 246 lbs) doesn't possess the size to be a defensive end in a 3-4, meaning he would line up at outside linebacker - a position he's played just nine games at in his career.
Not only does he not have the size or familiarity with the outside linebacker position but he is a below-average run defender. As I mentioned earlier this offseason when discussing Leonard Floyd as a possible signing, the Panthers are better off expanding Marquis Haynes's role. Why add another body to the roster that doesn't fit with your scheme and fails to set the edge? Ngakoue has a knack for getting to the quarterback, but I just don't see the fit in Carolina.
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