Most of us, as Panthers fans, were thrilled when the team signed defensive tackle Dontari Poe to a three-year, $28 million deal this past offseason to replace Star Lotulelei. Per Pro Football Focus, in 2017 Poe’s production surpassed Lotulelei’s in quarterback pressures (40 vs. 19), run stops (28 vs. 16), and PFF grade (70.2 vs. 57.4). Not only was Poe replacing Lotulelei’s declining production, but Carolina was able to poach him away from their division rivals the Atlanta Falcons.
Many of us envisioned Dontari Poe and Kawann Short forming a two-headed interior monster that would stuff running backs and swallow quarterbacks whole.