Free agency technically never ends, but it generally seems like about 90% of the most consequential acquisitions are made in the first few days. We’ve past that point, and the pace of deals has decreased from pouring in to a slight trickle. The Carolina Panthers have been busy, re-signing a slew of special teams and bench players while adding some big hitters on the defensive side of the ball. Adding edge Jaelan Phillips and linebacker Devin Lloyd checked two of the most obvious boxes on the defensive side of the ball. Those
moves alone have vastly improved the team’s situation and opened up more doors for them in the draft. But the team is still not a finished product. Let’s take a look at what else the Panthers would do well to add.
Defensive line depth
The Panthers released A’Shawn Robinson to save about $10.5 million and make room for those aforementioned deals. Robinson is still a good player and landed on his feet with the division rival Bucs. He was productive during his two seasons in Carolina, and I’m sure Dan Morgan and company want to find a way to recreate his production. On the surface, the starting front line of Derrick Brown, Bobby Brown III, and Tershawn Wharton looks pretty stout, but there’s virtually no depth behind them. The Panthers need bodies so this group doesn’t crumble whenever the starters rotate out of the game.
Moar offensive linemen
The Panthers added Stone Forsythe and Luke Fortner, but they aren’t exactly perfect replacements for the departing Cade Mays and the injured Ikem Ekownu. Both have been ranked among the worst players at their position at different points in the last couple of years. Yosh Nijman retiring added even more turmoil. The thought of both of the new free agents being potential starters in a few months is pretty concerning. There are some players still out on the market. Most are on the older side, but the Panthers are at a point where they might need to turn to guys like that to hold them over until they can get some more young talent along the trenches.
Safety
Tre’von Moehrig was a revelation after the Panthers spent more money than people expected to bring him in last offseason. He improved as the season went on and really became a versatile weapon on the defensive side of the ball. His running mates on the back end weren’t quite up to snuff though. Nick Scott probably wasn’t as bad as his reputation would suggest, but he’s definitely upgradeable. Lathan Ransom has some promise going into his second year, but he doesn’t preclude the Panthers from adding more help, especially considering that Ejiro Evero showed a willingness to play three safeties on the field together at times last season.
An explosive threat at wide receiver
The Panthers added Bryce Young’s former Alabama teammate John Metchie III. While Metchie was once highly regarded, I don’t think anyone has any illusions of stardom for him at this point. Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker are big bodies and have a lot of overlapping skills. Xavier Legette is there. The wide receiver room could use some diversity of talent still.
Developmental quarterback
The Panthers have talked about adding some talent to the quarterback room as Andy Dalton starts to age out of the league. They signed Kenny Pickett, which is fine, but also not likely to move the needle. Bryce Young, while improving, still isn’t a sure bet to be a long term answer at quarterback. There’s no feasible way to make an upgrade right now, but it would be wise for the Panthers to take a swing on someone like Drew Allar or Taylen Green as a developmental prospect that could serve as a long term backup or potential plan B if Young falters.
