CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Carolina Panthers are looking for ways to improve their roster with a limited amount of cap space. Free agency officially began Wednesday, March 14th at 4 p.m.
The Panthers are coming off a 11-5 season and first round playoff loss to the rival Saints.
According to overthcap.com General Manager Marty Hurney and the Panthers have roughly $17.7 million in salary cap space. Only eight teams have less. This number accounts for Bashaud Breeland and Torrey Smith but not Julius Peppers.
For comparison’s sake, the Jets have about $82.6 million to spend, the most in the NFL.
Carolina is still a talented team led by Cam Newton and Luke Kuechly. However, several key veterans have indicated this is their final season including center Ryan Kalil and linebacker Thomas Davis. Defensive end Julius Peppers will also play on a one-year contract.
The defensive backfield is once again in flux and the wide receiving core is still questionable, but the Panthers have already made gains in those areas with the expected signing of corner back Bashaud Breeland and acquisition of wide receiver Torrey Smith.
With Jonathan Stewart’s departure, the team is in need of a running back to compliment Christian McCaffrey. The 2018 running back class is deep, and drafting a young running back may be preferable to paying or overpaying a veteran in free agency.
Andrew Norwell will be the highest paid guard in the league once he signs with Jacksonville so, obviously, he will be missed. The Panthers may already have his replacement in 2017 draft pick Taylor Moton, who can also play tackle, but expect the team to still look for a quality lineman to provide depth.
Tight End Ed Dickson’s time in Carolina may be coming to an end. He played well in Greg Olsen’s absence due to injury during the 2017 season. It will be interesting to see how the Panthers handle the tight end position in free agency and the draft given Olsen’s age.
Overall, Carolina’s talent continues to make the team dangerous, but they will have to fill some key positions on a limited budget to make another playoff push in 2018.
Hurney has a tough task in front of him to help the team reclaim the NFC South from the New Orleans Saints. Right now it feels as if the team has taken a slight step back with the loss of several key veterans but Newton, Kuechly, Davis, Olsen, Kalil and Peppers are true professionals and possible Hall of Fame players, which should make the adjustments easier for everyone involved.
Who is in:
The Panthers are expected to sign Washington Redskins defensive back Bashaud Breeland.
Defensive end Julius Peppers has re-signed with the Panthers on a one-year contract.
Kicker Graham Gano resigned with the team on March 6th.
Wide Receiver Torrey Smith joins the Panthers from Philadelphia via trade for Daryl Worley.
Who is out:
The team opted to cut veteran running back Jonathan Stewart, safety Kurt Coleman, defensive end Charles Johnson, and Teddy Williams to save money.
Offensive lineman Andrew Norwell is expected to sign a hefty contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Defensive lineman Star Lotulelei is expected to join former defenisve coordinator Sean McDermott in Buffalo.
Carolina traded corner back Daryl Worley to the Eagles for wide receiver Torrey Smith.
Center Greg Van Roten re-signed with Carolina on January 29th.
Dfensive Lineman Drew Iddings re-signed with Carolina on March 9th.
Here are the Panthers’ free agents at the beginning of free agency:
Unrestricted Free Agents
QB Derek Anderson
WR Brenton Bersin
S Jairus Byrd
TE Ed Dickson
LB Andrew Gachkar
K Graham Gano
WR Charles D. Johnson
DT Star Lotulelei
G Andrew Norwell
DE Julius Peppers
DT Amini Silatolu
Restricted Free Agents
WR Kaelin Clay
CB LaDarius Gunter
TE Scott Simonson
C Greg Van Roten
G David Yankey
Exclusive Rights
WR Damiere Byrd (tendered)
OT Dan France
DT Drew Iddings
C/G Tyler Larsen (tendered)
TE Chris Manhertz (tendered)
P Michael Palardy (tendered)
