NFL Free Agent Profile: Kawann Short, DT, Carolina

Throughout the offseason, we’ll be profiling players who may end up in Denver when all is said and done with NFL Free Agency. The Broncos clearly have plenty of holes to fill before they get back to Super-Bowl form and we’ll be examining a long list of players they may choose to help the franchise do just that.

Kawann Short is set to hit free agency on March 9 after his contract expires after the 2016 season. However, all signs would indicate that Short won’t end up making it to the open market because the Carolina Panthers will do everything they can to keep the 28-year old defensive tackle.

During Super Bowl week Panthers’ head coach, Ron Rivera said the team will “probably” use the franchise tag on Short if they are unable to reach a long-term deal before the March 1 deadline. If for some reason Short does make it to the open market, one of the league’s best big men would be available.

Strengths

The 6-foot-3, 315-pound defensive tackle is among the best defensive lineman in the league with his rare ability to both rush the passer and stuff the run. Typically, defensive tackles are just asked to clog up the middle to stop the run. However, Short has the ability to get after the quarterback as he has 17 combined sacks over the past two seasons.

As a Pro-Bowl player in 2015, Short has graded out as one of the league’s best defensive tackles since the 2014 season, and he hasn’t missed a game in his career. Listed as the fourth-best free agent by Gregg Rosenthal, it is unlikely that the second-round pick in 2013 will hit the market.

Weaknesses

When it comes to 4-3 defensive tackles, it doesn’t get much better than Short. Regardless of whether Short hits the open market or eventually signs a long-term deal with Carolina won’t change the fact that he will command one of the biggest defensive contracts in the history of the league.

It is widely expected that Short will command a similar contract to Fletcher Cox’s six-year, $103 million contract that he received from the Philadelphia Eagles last year.

How he fits in Denver

Although Short is one of the league’s elites on the defensive line, he isn’t a natural fit in Denver. Even with new defensive coordinator Joe Woods, the Denver Broncos will run a 3-4 defense in 2017. Short is a natural defensive tackle in a 4-3 scheme. Although he could make the transition and still be a great player, the Broncos would likely spend that type of money in other places.

While Denver would gladly take him along their line, it would be very surprising if general manager John Elway paid Short top money to come to Denver.