The Carolina Panthers were relatively quiet in the first wave of free agency last month. Their only major acquisition was signing former Denver Broncos center Matt Paradis to a three-year deal, replacing the retiring Ryan Kalil. The team also re-signed offensive tackle Daryl Williams and designated Matt Kalil a June 1 cut, both good moves.
Since then, the Panthers have been much more active. Let’s hand out a second round of letter grades for Carolina’s moves over the last month.
Signed: LB/DE Bruce Irvin
Signing a 31 year old edge rusher who arguably peaked more than three years ago doesn’t sound like a brilliant move on the surface. However, the Panthers got a good deal and a great fit with Irvin. His base salary is just $1.25 million and his contract has a max value of $4 million, so even if he doesn’t work out it’s no huge loss. Irvin will give Carolina’s pass rush a boost as well as more depth at two positions that need it.
Grade: B+
Re-signed: RB Cameron Artis-Payne
The Panthers didn’t need to release C.J. Anderson last season and they should have tried to bring him back. Instead, he’ll be playing in Detroit and their depth at running back takes a big hit. Artis-Payne’s ceiling is limited and if he takes playing time away from a rookie with more upside it will be another waste of resources. Unless the plan is to play Christian McCaffrey every single snap, this one could sting.
Grade: D
Claimed: OT Dillon Gordon
Another LSU product, Gordon was waived by the Chiefs after spending a year and a half as a backup’s backup. He’s only played one game in his career with the Eagles and is unlikely to make a significant impact. There’s no guarantee that he’ll make the 53-man roster, either. He’ll need to beat out Isaiah Battle for the final tackle spot or move inside to guard.
Grade: C
Signed: DT Destiny Vaeao
If there’s one spot you know the Panthers are not going to be thin at, it’s the defensive tackle position. Vaeao is a solid if unspectacular depth signing. In 33 career games with Philadelphia, he totaled three sacks, five quarterback hits and two tackles for a loss. Adding Vaeao means the team won’t have to rely as much on first-round bust Vernon Butler.
Grade: B-
Signed: 6 former AAF players
The Panthers were very much all in on the former AAF player bonanza, signing wide receiver/kick returner Rashad Ross, center Parker Collins, guard Kitt O’Brien, offensive tackle Brandon Greene, tight end Thomas Duarte and defensive tackle T.J. Barnes. Ross looks to be the most promising as a potential No. 6 wide receiver and kickoff return specialist. We’ll wait and see how many of them actually make the team before judging this group.
Grade: Incomplete
Signed: WR Chris Hogan
Value is the name of the game with this signing, announced on Friday. Hogan won’t be a superstar and doesn’t need to be – he should be a reliable and high quality No. 4 option on the wide receiver depth chart, though. Hogan brings a low drop rate, an ability to get open and a one-year deal worth just a reported $2 million max. It’s hard for this one to go wrong and if he matches his production in New England, it’ll be a steal.
Grade: A
Re-signed: DT Kyle Love
Bringing in Vaeao helps keep Vernon Butler off the field, but bringing Love back is a much bigger deal. He’s the best backup defensive lineman that they have and his experience and ability to force turnovers are invaluable. Signing a younger player like Allen Bailey would have been preferable. There’s a lot to Love about keeping this guy in the fold, though.
Grade: A-
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