Regardless of what’ll be a new-look defense, at least schematically, the Carolina Panthers have needed some help along its trench. So, are there any viable options out there on the open market?
Here are four free-agent defensive linemen they should give a look to.
Dre'Mont Jones
Remember when former general manager Dave Gettleman used to talk about shopping at Nordstrom for free agents? Yeah, that’s where we’re going to find Jones—who’s fresh off an eye-opening campaign.
The 26-year-old could command a deal worth up to $18 million per season. And if the Panthers are willing pay up, Jones would be a perfect fit in defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero’s defense . . . because he literally just had that eye-opening campaign in Ejiro Evero’s defense.
Zach Allen
If the Panthers want to go to Target, they may be able to find Allen.
Allen, like Jones, has played defensive end in a 3-4 base. The four-year veteran also just put up a career-high in sacks with 5.5.
Matt Ioannidis
And if the Panthers want to shop from home, they can bring back Ioannidis—who quietly had himself a solid 2022 in Carolina.
He, too, has history in a 3-4, having played as a defensive end in Washington for three seasons. Plus, Ioannidis excelled in that role, notching a career-high 7.5 sacks in 2018 and following that with a new career-high of 8.5 in 2019.
Greg Gaines
This defense is also going to need a nose tackle. While Marquan McCall and Bravvion Roy could hit the middle, Carolina could opt for a guy who’s already played the spot at the pro level.
Gaines also crossed paths with Evero, when the latter served as a safeties and secondary coach in Los Angeles.
