Winning at the line of scrimmage is important for any defense to be successful. Will Carolina use the draft to improve on their subpar 2018 results?"WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections Keep Sounding PodcastPanthers 2019 NFL DraftCSR Film RoomNFL DraftCarolina Panthers Film RoomSenior BowlFilm room scouting report on Arizona State defensive tackle Renell WrenNew James Color Rush Bradberry Jersey ,18commentsWinning at the line of scrimmage is important for any defense to be successful. Will Carolina use the draft to improve on their subpar 2018 results?ESTShareTweetShareShareFilm room scouting report on Arizona State defensive tackle Renell WrenMark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY SportsThe defensive tackle position was once heralded to be a strength of the Carolina Panthers. Unfortunately, that is no longer the case. The Panthers, smartly, allowed Star Lotulelei to walk in free agency. They attempted to replace Star by signing Dontari Poe. Poe massively disappointed the expectations placed upon him. He was one of the worst run defenders in the NFL and he only generated 13 total pressures. In addition, Kawaan Short didn’t have the sort of all pro campaign many expected. He finished with 34 total pressures on the season, which ranks No. 27 among interior defenders. Given his contract and age, his future as a top tier defensive tackle has to be questioned. Vernon Butler has not lived up to his draft position. The only positive from the position group was Kyle Love. Love is 33 years old and relying on aging talents is one of the reasons Carolina’s defense struggled. On the whole though, winning at the line of scrimmage is important for any defense to be successful. The lack of production from this position group in 2018 was one of the primary culprits for Carolina’s poor defense. They have to find better talent to control the line of scrimmage in 2019. A prospect who seems to have helped himself this week during Senior Bowl practices is Arizona State defensive tackle Renell Wren.In both of these clips, Wren displays power and speed. It should be mentioned that this drill heavily favors the defensive tackle, but that functional strength and first step quickness is eye gushing for any evaluator. I noticed these same qualities on film too.Wren’s game filmWren did not have elite production at ASU, but it’s important to understand the role he was playing for their front. He was asked to occupy multiple blockers as a 1-technique (lined up in front of the center). As the practice clips show, he is at his best when he can rush up field and attack 1-gap. Wren’s first step on this play demonstrates his ability to create havoc on the interior. It’s not just limited to him timing the snap count either, he has the athleticism to slip through reach blocks. This is where his first step and athleticism show up in concert. He is the first to move, but then takes a step laterally before moving up field to bring down the ball carrier. Wren receives plenty of attention by offenses due to his role as a gap occupier. He is still able to leverage his first step to create disruption in the backfield. He won’t get credit for this play on the stat sheet, but he was primarily responsible for affecting the run.Wren also displays ideal power from his lower body. He’s able to demolish the center on this play thanks to his get off, hand placement, and power generated from his lower body. The issue with Wren, however, are his counter moves as a pass rusher. These two plays illustrate the problem when he doesn’t have a plan. The offensive lineman is able to control him, but Wren is also not able to disengage. He has the requisite length, but he has to learn how to utilize it better to affect the quarterback more consistently. The clips coming out of Mobile provide some optimism that if Wren is employed as a 1-gap penetrator, then his skill set can translate. Fit with CarolinaI understand that it is easy to mock the Panthers for drafting a defensive tackle because Dave Gettleman was so infatuated with it, but they have to improve the position. As of now, Wren is an ideal Day Two target for Carolina. The linebackers have a much tougher job when the defensive line isn’t functioning Ian Thomas Jersey , which it wasn’t for the 2018 season. Wren has the size, athleticism, and high ceiling target that could help the Panthers defense for the short and long term. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (12-6)OPEN CAMP: July 26, Ochsner Sports Performance Center, Metairie, LouisianaLAST YEAR: Helped by infusion of elite young talent, Saints pulled out of three-year rut of mediocrity and won NFC South. They were seconds away from advancing to NFC title game, only to be thwarted by Minnesota receiver Stefon Diggs‘ winning touchdown as time expired in divisional round. New Orleans received major contributions from running back and Offensive Rookie of Year Alvin Kamara, and cornerback and Defensive Rookie of Year Marshon Lattimore. Several other first-and second-year players filled regular roles as well, and veteran Drew Brees remained one of NFL’s top QBs.IMPORTANT ADDITIONS: LB Demario Davis, S Kurt Coleman, CB Patrick Robinson, WR Cameron Meredith, Rookie DE Marcus Davenport.IMPORTANT LOSSES: S Kenny Vaccaro, TE Coby Fleener, WR Willie Snead, G Senio Kelemete, RT Zach Strief, CB Delvin Breaux.CAMP NEEDS: Lineup is relatively stable from last-season’s playoff run, but New Orleans looking to bolster pass rush by finding someone who can make offenses pay for sending multiple blockers at All-Pro end Cameron Jordan. Saints want Davenport to develop into that player. But he is raw in first season out of UTSA. Saints also want to figure out which running backs can fill in for Mark Ingram during his four-game suspension to open season. Veteran free agents Shane Vereen and Terrence West, along with draft pick Boston Scott and second-year pro Trey Edmunds, are competing for those snaps.EXPECTATIONS: Saints appear to have gotten stronger and deeper than last season, particularly with additions on defense. Keys to improving are how well new players fit and, as usual Curtis Samuel Color Rush Jersey , avoiding injuries. If Davenport develops quickly, Saints could be elite. If not, teams with good plan to block Jordan could give New Orleans fits.—AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL—CAROLINA PANTHERS (11-6)OPEN CAMP: July 26, Wofford College, Spartanburg, South CarolinaLAST YEAR: Panthers enjoyed bounce-back season after failing to reach playoffs in 2017. Carolina lost three times to New Orleans, including wild-card playoffs. No deep threat, lengthy injury to TE Greg Olsen and poor pass protection doomed offense. Defense remained one of NFL’s best behind high MLB Luke Kuechly.IMPORTANT ADDITIONS: Rookie WR D.J. Moore, WR Torrey Smith, WR Jarius Wright, RB C.J. Anderson, RB Kenjon Barner, G Jeremiah Sirles, DT Dontari Poe, rookie CB Donte Jackson, CB Ross Cockrell, S Da’Norris Searcy.IMPORTANT LOSSES: G Andrew Norwell, RB Jonathan Stewart, DT Star Lotulelei, DE Charles Johnson, S Kurt Coleman, CB Daryl Worley, QB Derek Anderson.CAMP NEEDS: Panthers need to adjust to three new coordinators: Norv Turner (offense), Eric Washington (defense) and Chase Blackburn (special teams). Turner’s relationship with QB Cam Newton critical to team’s success. Second-year RB Christian McCaffrey is featured back with Jonathan Stewart gone. Team expected to use more two tight end sets Daeshon Hall Jersey , play-action under Turner. Addition of WRs D.J. Moore, Torrey Smith and Jarius Wright should bolster passing game. Washington inherits defense looking to replace four starters (Lotulelei, Johnson, Coleman and Worley). Kuechly, DT Kawann Short, LB Thomas Davis, CB James Bradberry and pass-rushing tandem Julius Peppers and Mario Addison (11 sacks each) all return. GM Marty Hurney thrilled with second-round pick CB Donte Jackson, who’ll start.EXPECTATIONS: Core of team that’s been to postseason four of past five seasons remains intact, but aging quickly. Peppers is 38, S Mike Adams 37, Davis 35, and C Ryan Kalil and Olsen are 33. Newton is 29. Plenty of pressure to win now under new owner David Tepper before window closes. Carolina should compete for NFC South title with New Orleans and Atlanta if offense improves.—ATLANTA FALCONS (11-7)OPEN CAMP: July 27, Falcons practice facility, Flowery Branch, GeorgiaLAST YEAR: One year after reaching Super Bowl, Falcons finished third in NFC South and lost to Philadelphia in second round of playoffs. Quarterback Matt Ryan, working under new coordinator Steve Sarkisian, had decline in production from 2016, when team led NFL in scoring. Ryan still signed five-year, $150 million deal in offseason. Good news is young defense, led by speedy linebackers Deion Jones and De’Vondre Campbell and safeties Keanu Neal and Ricardo Allen, allowed 318.4 yards per game, significant drop from 371.2 in 2016.IMPORTANT ADDITIONS: G Brandon Fusco, rookie WR Calvin Ridley Trai Turner Color Rush Jersey , TE Logan Paulsen, CB Justin Bethel, rookie DT Deadrin Senat, QB coach Greg Knapp, RB coach Bernie Parmalee.IMPORTANT LOSSES: DT Dontari Poe, DE Adrian Clayborn, WR Taylor Gabriel, FB Derrick Coleman, TE Levine Toilolo.CAMP NEEDS: Spotlight will be on WR Julio Jones after team announced it won’t renegotiate his current $71.5 million contract. Jones has three years remaining in five-year deal. Jones did not attend minicamp, and training camp holdout could be major distraction to ”brotherhood” atmosphere promoted by coach Dan Quinn. Defensive front will be concern following losses of Poe and Clayborn. Senat could have opportunity for immediate playing time, if not starting role. Ridley needs to prove he can handle No. 3 receiver spot behind Jones and Mohamed Sanu and be ready for even bigger role.EXPECTATIONS: Ryan is 33, Jones is 29, RB Devonta Freeman had two concussions, including one in preseason, and knee injury last season, and RB Tevin Coleman could be free agent after this season. These are all alarm signals as window for current offense is narrowing. While young defense is emerging as team’s strength, Atlanta’s offense needs to re-emerge in second season with Sarkasian if team can have real hope for second Super Bowl appearance in three years. Addition of Fusco should add more stability to interior offensive line. Competitive NFC South doesn’t lessen expectations. Anything less than 10 wins and another postseason would be disappointment.—TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (5-11)OPEN CAMP: July 26, One Buccaneer Place, Tampa, FloridaLAST YEAR:Failed to play up to heightened expectations coming off winning nine games previous season. Lost 10 of 13 following 2-1 start, missing playoffs for 10th straight year. QB Jameis Winston missed three games, plus most of fourth due to injury he tried to play through in three other starts. Lack of consistent running attack was problem. Gerald McCoy-led defense was disappointing, too, ranking last in league with 22 sacks.IMPORTANT ADDITIONS: DE Jason Pierre-Paul Taylor Moton Jersey , DT Beau Allen, DE Vinny Curry, DT Vita Vea, RB Ronald Jones, C Ryan Jensen, DT Mitch Unrein.IMPORTANT LOSSES: RB Doug Martin, DE Robert Ayers, Jr., G J.R. Sweezy, DT Chris Baker, DT Clinton McDonald, S T.J. Ward.CAMP NEEDS: Reconstructing defensive line and improving anemic pass rush were top priorities this offseason. However, getting newcomers Pierre-Paul, Allen, Curry, Unrein and first-round draft pick Vea acclimated to defensive coordinator Mike Smith’s system isn’t only concern entering camp. Winston will miss first three games of season while serving suspension for violating NFL’s personal conduct policy. So, balancing starter’s workload in practice along with that of backup QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, will be focal point during preseason.EXPECTATIONS: With Winston entering his fourth season, suspended three games for off-field behavior and also due to see his salary increase to $20.9 million in 2019, coach Dirk Koetter and general manager Jason Licht – as well as 24-year-old Winston – are on hot seat to end franchise’s long playoff drought. Winston will miss season opener at New Orleans, as well as home games against Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. An 0-3 start could be difficult to overcome, even if Pierre-Paul, Vea and Curry are answers to club’s pass-rushing woes.—