Which Top Remaining Free Agent Should the Panthers Sign?

360 views 2 replies
Reply to Topic
Angel92

Age: 2023
Total Posts: 0
Points: 10

Location:
,
The 2017 free agent signing period kicked off on March 9th and most solid players were scooped up within the first 48 hours.
We now sit here four months later http://www.yadeos.com/cam-newton-jersey-c-1_7.html in mid-July. The draft is done, rosters are largely set, and teams are getting ready for the start of training camp.
And yet, there are still a few solid free agents still on the market.
The Ringer put together a list of the The 16 Best Available Free Agents and as I reviewed the list I saw several players who could help the Carolina Panthers. I will outline my top three players below but would like to get the CSR community to weigh in on this as well.
Here is the list of free agents:
Offense Ryan Clady (OL), Nick Mangold (C), Austin Pasztor (OL), Vincent Jackson (WR), Anquan Boldin (WR), Gary Barnidge (TE), DeAngelo Williams (RB), Colin Kaepernick (QB).
Defense Jared Odrick (DL), Jason Jones (DL), Dwight Freeney (DE), DeAndre Levy (LB), Perry Riley (LB), Darrelle Revis (CB), Leon Hall (DB), Corey Graham (S).
Here are the parameters to work with:
1. Assume it is a one-year deal for 2017 only.
2. Assume the salary is fair and Dave Gettleman is happy with the contract. The Panthers have $15 million in cap space, so assume Gettleman is content with how the contract and remaining salary cap end up balancing out.
3. Assume the player will sign in Carolina and play as the coaching staff determines (e.g. starter, backup, position change/flexibility, etc.)
With that in mind, here are the top three free agents I would like to see the Panthers sign and why.
1. Darrelle Revis, CB
Even after signing Captain Munnerlyn, I still view corner back as a position of need for the Panthers. James Bradberry and Daryl Worley had good rookie seasons in 2016 and should continue to improve in 2017, but neither is a true lock downcorner just yet. Plus, there is no virtually quality depth behind them.
I would feel much better about the http://www.arimtex.com/gary-sanchez-jersey-c-1_35.html Panthers ability to defend the pass, especially against four-receiver sets or long passing situations, if Revis was thrown into the mix at corner. Per Pro Football Focus, Revis was the 24th-ranked corner in the NFL over the last 10 games of the 2016 season, so he still has some gas left in the tank.
In the real world, salary would probably be an issue. But for the sake of this discussion, lets assume Gettleman could would out the compensation and remaining cap space.
2. Anquan Boldin, WR
I might get shouted down here, but I dont like the Panthers receiving corps at all. Losing Ted Ginn and Corey Brown and their combined 81 receptions and 1,028 yards in 2016 will be hard to replace with Carolinas current crew of mid-level free agents and unproven rookies.
Kelvin Benjamin is good, no doubt, but hes not a dominant, game-changing, No. 1 receiver like many other teams have. There is a huge productivity gap between Benjamin and the NFLs top tier of No. 1 receivers like Julio Jones, Odell Beckham, and Antonio Brown.
Devin Funchess should be much further Jeff Allen Youth Jersey along after two seasons and is coming off a disappointing 23-371-4 campaign. 2017 will be his third season and is feeling like a make or breakyear for the former second round pick.
Free agent additions Charles Johnson (entering his fourth season) and Russell Shepard (entering his fifth) have yet to distinguish themselves as dependable receivers. Rookie Curtis Samuel looks explosive, but it usually take first year receivers time to learn a new offensive system and get in sync with their QBs.
When assessing Carolinas receiving corps, consider this fact: Outside of Kelvin Benjamin, no other Panthers WR has ever exceeded 500 receiving yards in a season.
Read that sentence again.
Then consider what Anquan Boldin would bring.
Yes, Boldins old for a receiver at 36, but hes also smart, tough, and dependable. Last season Boldin produced 67-584-8 with the Detroit Lions, which exactly is the type of consistent production the Panthers need.
Plus, I just think Boldins a winner. Hes always passed my Id go to war with that guytest. His toughness and likely desire to play for a contender late in his career could be a good fit with Carolina.
3. Ryan Clady, OT
If you dont know how quickly poor tackle play can derail a promising season, just watch the 2016 Panthers debacle. With injuries to Michael Oher and sub-par play from Mike Remmers, Cam Newton spent most of Carolinas 6-10 season running for his life.
Even though Matt Kalil was brought in as a high-priced free agent, he has struggled in recent years and is far from a sure thing.
Daryl Williams is serviceable but not starter caliber.
Second round pick Taylor Moton could be very good, but expecting a rookie to step in and immediately contribute at tackle is a big ask.
Nobody knows what to expect from Michael Oher.
Clady is a lot like Matt Kalil. Both are former All Pros who have struggled with injury and inconsistency in recent years. With Kurt Coleman Womens Jersey tackle being the second most important offensive position behind QB, Id be open to taking a flier on Clady to see if he could recapture at least some of his 2014 All Pro mojo.
Who Would You Sign?
Now its your turn, CSR community. If you were GM, which available free agents would you sign?
List your top three in the comments below, or feel free to weigh in on my take.
Happy signing.
 
Posted 17 Jul 2017

Reply to Topic