Should the Las Vegas Raiders make a move on Pro-Bowl DT Kawann Short?
By Daniel Davis
Just one season shy of playing out his five-year $80 million contract, the Panthers have informed Kawann Short they plan to release him, making him a free agent for the 2021 offseason. The 32-year-old has had a few injury-plagued years that likely led to his release. In 2019, Short had a season-ending injury, and in 2020 his season was cut short due to a partially torn rotator cuff surgery, so should the Las Vegas Raiders go after him in free agency?
The Panthers are seeking to gain the $8.6 million cap space saved by his release, as he was due $12.5 million in base salary. When Short has produced, he is one of the best defensive tackles in the game, as, from 2015-2017, he averaged 8.5 sacks from his interior position with nearly 18 QB hits during that time.
After his injuries, though, his production has gone down significantly. In 2018 he only had three sacks and five quarterback hits despite playing the entire year.
Should the Raiders make a move for Kawann Short?
If the Raiders made a move for him, the contract would have to be team-friendly with low guaranteed money. However, at this point, the Raiders defense can use all the help it can get, especially up front along the defensive line, which has been a sore spot for them for years.
In 2020, the team gave up nearly the most points in team history, and in14 games, they gave up 20+ points, in five games they gave up 30+, and they gave up 40+ points in two games, including that embarrassing loss to the Atlanta Falcons.
Kawann Short could add some good depth to the Raiders struggling line and could provide some leadership to a young defense. However, his injury status gives some reservations to Raiders fans and that’s a concern.
In recent years the defense has lacked depth and it’s plagued the unit as a whole. In 2019 the linebackers were thin and that turned out to be a huge concern, then, in 2020 the secondary was very thin and the pass rush was non-existent.
Whether or not the Raiders make a play for the aging veteran, a player they should at least kick the tires on, this defense needs to be a focal point in the 2020 offseason.