The Carolina Panthers are continuing to upgrade their defense ahead of the 2018 season. According to Kimberley A. Martin of the Washington Post, the team is signing former Kansas City Chiefs and Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Dontari Poe.
Poe, a first-round pick of the Chiefs back in 2012, earned a Pro Bowl trip in two of his first three NFL seasons. Conditioning and weight issues ultimately led to his departure from the Chiefs following the 2016 season. He then latched on with Atlanta on a one-year, prove-it deal — performing extremely well this past season in the process.
Poe will be tasked with replacing the recently departed Star Lotulelei next to Pro Bowler Kawann Short along the interior of Carolina’s defensive line moving forward. He can easily be seen as an upgrade there.
This comes on the heels of Carolina re-signing future Hall of Fame pass rusher Julius Peppers and signing corner Bashaud Breeland earlier in free agency.