Kawann Short is 32 and has just been released by the Carolina Panthers. Short was taken as the 44th overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft and it paid off for the panthers. Kawann Short is a two-time pro-bowl defensive tackle and was a key piece for their Super Bowl 50 run. Releasing Short frees up around eight million for the Panthers. Since the beginning of his career in 2013, Short has racked up 273 total career pressures, 15th among interior defensive linemen. Through Shorts career, he has racked up a 91.6 career PFF grade, sixth amongst interior defensive linemen. However, playing just five games in the last two seasons, Short is a monster on the field when healthy.
Short being banged up as of late, he will not be too costly for teams in win situations. For the first five seasons of his career, he didn’t miss a single start. Short is a do it all kind of defensive tackle, coming as his career-high in sacks is 11. Three times in Shorts career, he surpassed 15 plus total tackles for loss. Sacks aren’t the most common things in defensive tackles, but between 2013-2018 Short totaled 32.5 sacks.
When healthy and if added into the right defensive scheme, Short will play a crucial part on a good defense on a cheaper deal. Short’s best year came in 2015, where Short had 11 sacks, three forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries; Short was selected to his first pro-bowl in 2015. Also, in 2015 Short had a career-high in quarterback hits with 18 and a career-high in tackles for loss with 16. Due to covid, the cap for all teams has taken a hit, so Short will be a steal for a cheaper deal if he can stay healthy.