Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
The Carolina Panthers made the right choice to select defensive tackle Star Lotulelei with the No. 14 overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. Lotulelei will be a star for many years to come for a team that needed just one more piece to the puzzle along the defensive line.
Lotulelei may not be an immediate impact player, and his inconsistency on the field could cause some major problems if the Panthers do not take care of business right away. However, there is no question his strength and acceleration off the snap will be utilized to the fullest potential.
Lotulelei recorded five sacks, 11 tackles for loss, four passes defended, three forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries. His numbers prove that he is a very versatile lineman that fits Carolina perfectly.
The fact that he dropped to the Panthers at No. 14 is incredible considering he is a top five talent. His 6-foot-3, 311-pound frame is going to cause all sorts of havoc along the defensive front for opposing blocking schemes. His strong hands will be able to move offensive lineman out of the way so that he can make a play on the ball carrier.
Lotulelei will be a top-notch athlete in stuffing the run, something that has to worry the other teams in the NFC South. Not to mention, his ability to garner a burst of speed around the quarterback is terrifying. The fact that he will be able to take space along the line will make players such as Dwan Edwards that much better.
The reason Lotulelei fell in the draft was because of a heart condition that was revealed at the NFL combine. However, he has been medically cleared to play football, which means it should not pose to be a problem for Carolina.
