After the first week of free agency, the Panthers are still looking for a replacement for Mario Addison at defensive end. Last week we profiled Iowa’s A.J. Epenesa as a potential edge prospect the team could target in the first round. However, if Matt Rhule and his staff don’t like Epenesa’s fit, there is another top-tier edge rusher who has a totally different playing style that might better suit Phil Snow’s defense.
Let’s take a look at LSU’s K’Lavon Chaisson.
Scouting Report:
Chaisson measured in at 6-foot-3, 254 pounds at the NFL Combine. He did not participate in any drills, but Chaisson is about as explosive as edge rushers come. When watching his tape, you can’t help but think of him as a thicker, more stout version of Brian Burns. Chaisson plays with a tremendous repertoire of pass rush counters and is very refined in his hand usage. He also plays with unreal balance and flexibility which, paired with his insane first step, helps him get around the edge in the blink of an eye. He drew a ton of double teams in college because of this and was still able to produce.
Chaisson is also effective against the run, which means he can be an every down player and not just a pass rush specialist. He has excellent gap discipline and plays with great leverage which allows him to hold his own at the point of attack and cause disruption in the backfield.
Overall, Chaisson is a polished pass rusher who can make an immediate impact Week 1. He can beat you with his unparalleled speed and bend around the edge that will be a nightmare for even the most athletic of tackles. He does not offer much versatility, but can play standing up or with his hand in the dirt as an edge defender. He is one of the top defensive prospects in this class, period.
Highlights
Chaisson vs. Alabama
Chaisson vs. Oklahoma
Chaisson vs. Auburn
Chaisson vs. Texas
Fit with Panthers:
Chaisson would form quite a tandem playing opposite Brian Burns. As explosive as these two are, offensive tackles would have a rough time keeping up with their speed and counters off the edge. The one downside with Chaisson is that he does not present the versatility to shift inside and play defensive tackle, but he certainly has the potential to perfect his craft as an edge rusher. With Carolina switching back to a base 4-3 defense and getting a healthy Kawann Short back, they will have some serious pressure coming after opposing quarterbacks from all angles.
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