Kawann Short Receives Franchise Tag from Carolina Panthers
Carolina hopes to have Kawaan Short as the anchor to their defense for many more years after franchising him
Hours after the Arizona Cardinals placed the franchise tag on pass rusher Chandler Jones the Carolina Panthers opted to use their tag as well.
Kawann Short has officially been given the Panthers franchise tag, according to ESPN insider Adam Schefter. NFL.com projected the franchise tag price for a defensive tackle in 2017 to be worth approximately $13.4 million.
That number is an increase from last season after Fletcher Cox signed a contract worth over $100 million with Philadelphia last offseason.
The #Panthers have placed the franchise tag on DT Kawann Short
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) February 27, 2017
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Pro Football Focus rated Short the third-best interior defensive lineman in the NFL last year, and the second-best in football against the run.
Last year Carolina placed the franchise tag on cornerback Josh Norman, but revoked it after long-term contract negotiations with Norman gained little traction.
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The Panthers entered the offseason with over $50 million in cap space according to Spotrac, so paying the astronomical franchise tag price for Short is not a major blow to Carolina’s offseason plans.
With few pending free agents worth re-signing to major contract extensions the Panthers are expected to be busy in free agency after their Super Bowl hangover season.
Building the secondary and adding wide receiver depth will be on the docket for Carolina, as well as looking to add youth at running back and the offensive line.
Carolina enters the 2017 NFL Draft with the eighth overall pick and the possibility of drafting a superstar such as running back Leonard Fournette, if available.