The hype of free agency has come and gone and now it’s time to look at what teams have gained and lost since March 16th and where they stand as they prepare for the upcoming draft. Let’s have a talk about the Carolina Panthers.
Carolina Panthers
Key acquisitions: S Xavier Woods, C Bradley Bozeman, G Austin Corbett, LB Damien Wilson, LB Cory Littleton, RB D’Onta Foreman, WR Rashard Higgins, DT Matt Ioannidis, P Johnny Hekker, CB Chris Westry
Re-signed: CB Donte Jackson, S Justin Burris, TE Ian Thomas, CB Rashaan Melvin, K Zane Gonzalez, S Sean Chandler, DE Marquis Haynes, LB Julian Stanford, WR Brandon Zylstra
Departures: OLB Haason Reddick (Eagles), CB Stephon Gilmore (Colts), LB Jermaine Carter (Chiefs), DT DaQuan Jones (Bills), CB A.J. Bouye, DE Morgan Fox, RB Ameer Abdullah (Raiders)
Remaining free agents: C Matt Paradis, G John Miller, QB Cam Newton, OT Trent Scott
Analysis: What are the Carolina Panthers? What is their direction? Who the hell knows. They were very active in free agency yet again, but there still are big questions throughout the roster, especially at the most important position: quarterback. After Cam Newton was released after 2019, the tried Teddy Bridgewater in 2020, then was traded to the Broncos after they traded for Sam Darnold. After a hot start in 2021 where Darnold appeared to be unlocked, he got hurt and was Sam Darnold again. Now they’re looking for another solution. They struck out on the Deshaun Watson sweepstakes and are talking about trading for the guy who lost his job to Watson in Darnold’s draftmate Baker Mayfield. We could be looking at a Darnold-Mayfield camp battle with a rookie in the mix, who knows. All that is very much unknown, but I guess we should talk about the moves they made, whether or not they help the team moving forward, we shall see.
There wasn’t a focus at one position group this free agency, the Panthers just signed a lot of very good players at various positions. Starting with the defense, they added a proven veteran in the secondary with Xavier Woods, who had a great 2021 season with the Vikings as the only defensive player to play 100% of snaps. He gets a three-year contract to lead a secondary alongside Jeremy Chinn. The team also brought back starting cornerback Donte Jackson on a three-year deal. The former second-round pick has been a very good player throughout his career, and is the leader among a very young cornerbacks room highlighted by Jaycee Horn and C.J. Henderson that is now without A.J. Bouye and Stephon Gilmore.
The Panthers added some bodies to the linebackers group in Damien Wilson and Cory Littleton after the departure of Jermaine Carter to the Chiefs. Wilson, a former Cowboy, Chief, and Jaguar, is a proven starter entering his eighth season. Littleton was a breakout star with the Rams a few years ago, then signed a deal with the Raiders in 2020 before getting cut. Both players pair alongside Shaq Thompson in one of the better looking linebacking groups in the league.
The Panthers have had arguably the worst offensive line in football the last few seasons, with the most starting line combinations the last two seasons, including 13 (THIRTEEN) in 2021. They played 17 games in 2021, that’s not good. To try an get some stability, the team signed former Ravens center/guard Bradley Bozeman and former Rams guard Austin Corbett. Both are proven starters and slide into a starting role, not sure what yet as both can play center and guard, but my guess is Bozeman will be the center and Corbett at right guard with Matt Paradis and John Miller free agents. Taylor Moton is a very good right tackle and Pat Elflein (signed last year) at left guard and competition at left tackle, with the edge to veteran Cam Erving.
A couple minor signings at the skill position with running back D’Onta Foreman and wide receiver Rashard Higgins. Foreman has had a rough career so far, getting hurt with the Texans then out of the league, then revived in Tennessee as a Derrick Henry replacement. I think the Panthers realize they can’t give Christian McCaffrey the ball on every play, so Foreman is a great compliment as a power back. Higgins has been a productive WR3 in his six years with the Browns, and will continue that role in 2021 behind D.J. Moore (who got PAID), Robby Anderson, and Terrace Marshall.
Some key players signed elsewhere away from Carolina as well this offseason. The big name is Haason Reddick, who signed a one-year prove-it deal with the team last year and showed he is a productive pass rusher, and cashed in on a big multi-year deal with Philadelphia. They also lost starting defensive tackle DaQuan Jones and cut Morgan Fox. They parted with the aforementioned Carter, Bouye, and Gilmore, but seem to have found replacements for all players lost, but still lack a bit of a pass rush.
Conclusion: The Panthers made some really nice moves this offseason, they’re really building a nice team, but around who? That’s my issue with this team, all these moves could be for nothing if they’re not set up to succeed. The front office is making smart moves, just not at quarterback. They must have something in mind, either acquiring Mayfield, drafting one in the first round, or banking on Darnold. This isn’t a good QB class so they might wait til next year, which honestly looks like their best bet. Give Sam Darnold another chance. He was stuck with Adam Gase in New York, then got hurt last year and didn’t have Christian McCaffrey. Give him one last shot, then blow it up. I don’t know if Matt Rhule is the solution, because he sure is looking like a problem.
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