When free agency officially begins on Wednesday afternoon, the Carolina Panthers will only have around $17 million to spend. That does not give them much room to address an unusually large number of roster holes. They can’t leave everything to the draft, though. The organization will have to address at least a couple spots in free agency this year.
Here’s a ranking of their six most pressing needs.
1. A new starting left tackle
Market: Very weak
Options: Jake Fisher, Chris Clark
Cam Newton still hasn’t had a quality left tackle since Jordan Gross retired. Unfortunately, with the Raiders expected to sign Trent Brown to a four-year, $66 million deal, this is now an extremely weak class at the position. The Panthers will either have to address this need in the draft or try to bring back Daryl Williams and put either him or Taylor Moton at left tackle. If they can’t do either one, then Matt Kalil will be their projected starter again.
2. An edge rusher to replace Julius Peppers
Market: Very strong
Options: Trey Flowers, Ziggy Ansah, Andre Branch, Vinny Curry, Dion Jordan, Bruce Irvin, Justin Houston
No position group is stronger than the edge this year. On the downside, it mostly consists of high-end names that are far out of Carolina’s realistic price-range. The fact that Dante Fowler got $14 million for only one year shows how much of a premium pass rushers are right now. If the Panthers can get someone to bite on a mid-level deal, it will make the loss of Peppers not sting so much.
Update: Trey Flowers will be signing with Matt Patricia and the Lions, according to Adam Schefter at ESPN.
3. Another starting safety to pair with Eric Reid
Market: Strong
Options: LaMarcus Joyner, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Tre Boston, George Iloka, Tashaun Gipson, Tyrann Mathieu, Antoine Bethea, Darian Stewart
Earl Thomas leads the second-strongest position in this free agent class: free safety. Ron Rivera hasn’t had much use for traditional safety roles in the past, but Eric Reid plays better close to the line, so bringing in more of a true free safety makes sense. The team pitched Eric Weddle but he signed with the Rams. There’s still plenty of options, so there’s no reason why they can’t find themselves a long-term starter.
Update: Mathieu is expected to sign with Kansas City, per Ian Rapoport he’s getting three years and $42 million.
4. A slot cornerback to replace Captain Munnerlyn
Market: Weak
Options: Buster Skrine, Justin Coleman, Nevin Lawson
Carolina has more than one need in the secondary, of course. Donte Jackson and James Bradberry are projected to start on the outside for now, but the team needs to find someone to replace the veteran Munnerlyn, who was cut recently. Their options are quite limited.
Detroit will be signing Justin Coleman to a four-year deal worth $36 million, according to Ian Rapoport at NFL Network. Also, Buster Skrine is expected to sign with the Bears, per Mike Garafolo.
5. An outside linebacker to replace Thomas Davis
Market: Strong
Options: K.J. Wright, Anthony Barr, Jamie Collins, Vincent Rey, Shaquil Barrett, Pernell McPhee, Preston Smith
Heartbreaking as it will be to see Thomas Davis move on in 2019, it was time to go in a different direction. This is another case of there being a lot of good names available, but many will be too expensive for the Panthers. Sometimes a strong position class can drive down the price, though.
6. An upgrade at backup quarterback
Market: Strong
Options: Teddy Bridgewater, Tyrod Taylor, Josh McCown, Ryan Fitzpatrick
Coach Ron Rivera told reporters at the NFL Combine that the team does not plan to pursue a quarterback in free agency. If their faith in Cam Newton’s surgically-repaired throwing shoulder pays off, all the better. However, if the shoulder acts up again, rolling with either Kyle Allen or Taylor Heinicke would be quite a gamble.
7. Another tight end for Greg Olsen insurance
Market: Mediocre
Options: Dion Sims, Jared Cook, Tyler Eifert, Jermaine Gresham
Despite what some reports have stated today, Greg Olsen isn’t joining the ESPN booth just yet. That doesn’t mean the team can afford to not have a backup plan, though. Ian Thomas has promise but expecting him to replace Olsen as the No. 1 tight end is a big ask at this point in his career. In case Olsen’s foot gets injured again, the Panthers should consider adding another veteran with something to prove on a cheap one-year deal.
