Should Patriots Target This Newly Released Defensive Tackle?

It hasn’t received as much attention as their shortcomings at quarterback, receiver, tight end and linebacker, but the New England Patriots badly need defensive tackle help this offseason.

One potential target just hit the open market.

The Carolina Panthers plan to release veteran D-tackle Kawann Short in a cap-clearing move, according to multiple reports Tuesday. ESPN’s Adam Schefter was the first to report the impending transaction.

Short’s release was expected, as he was set to carry a bloated $20.8 million salary cap hit in 2021 and has appeared in just five games over the last two seasons.

But before shoulder injuries derailed his 2019 and 2020 campaigns, Short was one of the NFL’s top…