Panthers staff has ties to a dozen intriguing free agents, including Campbell, Sanders
With some notable holes to fill on their roster, the Carolina Panthers are working to free up cap space ahead of free agency.
While the Panthers aren’t expected to go on a spending spree, their outlook will be more about quality than quantity. As the Panthers won’t be among the top teams on the cap space list, they’ll need to be strategic with the players they target on the open market.
One approach to ensuring quality production is signing players who have connections to the coaching staff. With a new staff in place, the Panthers have plenty of intriguing ties to players who are set to test the market.
Here are 12 logical targets in free agency with connections to the new staff:
RB Miles Sanders
Coaching connection: Duce Staley
While it’s hard to see the Panthers spending heavily on a running back, Sanders would be a very good fit for Frank Reich’s creative offense. Coming off a career year with 1,269 rushing yards and 11 rushing touchdowns, Sanders is likely to cash in amid a crowded running back class. Perhaps the list of notable names set to hit the market will lower Sanders’ salary range, but he is expected to be one of the top three players on the market at his position.
WR Parris Campbell
Coaching connection: Frank Reich, Parks Frazier
If the Panthers are looking for speed in the slot (spoiler alert: they are), then Campbell is the ideal fit for Reich and company. Campbell spent the first three and a half seasons of his career with Reich and the pair share a strong bond. Coming off his first fully healthy season in the NFL, Campbell is likely to take a one-year “prove it” deal as a free agent. What better place to “prove it” than with Campbell’s longtime boss calling plays and a fresh start.
QB Jacoby Brissett
Coaching connection: Frank Reich
If the Panthers decide to pass on Derek Carr and go after a rookie prospect at quarterback, they’ll need a veteran stopgap starter to push the youngster in camp and beyond. Brissett played under Reich for three seasons, and the former starting quarterback has shown he can play well in the right circumstances. Brissett is known as a diligent worker and a great teammate, and that’s the type of player the Panthers want mentoring a young quarterback.
RB Jamaal Williams
Coaching connection: Duce Staley
With the Detroit Lions last season, Staley guided Williams to a career year. The running back produced 1,066 rushing yards and led the league with 17 rushing touchdowns. Williams best fits as a pounding early-down back in a rotation that also features speed/gadget weapons. He would fit in well with Chuba Hubbard and Raheem Blackshear this season. At 27, Williams is likely to sign a short-term contract with heavy guarantees.
DL Dre’Mont Jones
Coaching connection: Ejiro Evero
Outside of Derrick Brown, the Panthers have a lot of holes to fill on the defensive line. Jones, a impending free agent for the Denver Broncos, would be a terrific partner for Brown up front. Jones worked under Evero last season and thrived, producing 47 tackles and 6.5 sacks in only 13 games. Jones will have a notable market in free agency, but if the Panthers want to make one splash on defense this offseason, he’s a worthwhile target.
EDGE Yannick Ngakoue
Coaching connection: Frank Reich, Todd Wash
While Marquis Haynes and Amare Barno are coming off solid 2022 campaigns, the Panthers might be inclined to add another pass rusher to the mix opposite Brian Burns. Ngakoue has been a nomad pass rusher since leaving the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2020, and he could look to re-connect with a pair of former bosses in Charlotte if the money is right. Wash worked with Ngakoue throughout his run in Jacksonville, while Reich worked with him briefly in Indianapolis last year.
LB Bobby Okereke
Coaching connection: Frank Reich
The Panthers are likely to have a blank slate at inside linebacker this offseason. While there remains a possibility that Shaq Thompson takes a pay cut and stays, Carolina would need at least one more starter in place on the inside. Okereke played most of his four-year career under Reich and could be a solid veteran leader to add to the defense. Okereke likely won’t command top dollar on the market, either.
DL Isaiah Buggs
Coaching connection: Todd Wash
As previously mentioned, there are some notable holes to fill in the defensive front for the Panthers. If Carolina passes on spending on big-ticket players, Buggs could make sense as defensive end in the new 3-4 scheme. Buggs worked under Wash last season in Detroit and had a career year. If the Panthers want to stay flexible in future years, Buggs makes sense as a short-term pact player.
LB Alex Singleton
Coaching connection: Peter Hansen, Ejiro Evero
Singleton is a high-energy linebacker who has started for three different defensive coordinators during his time in the NFL. Singleton had a career year under Hansen and Evero this past season, and he will look to reach a long-term deal on the open market in March. Singleton knows the defense and its terminologies, and he could be an “example” player for the new staff. He is also a standout on special teams coverage units.
DB Nick Scott
Coaching connection: Ejiro Evero, Jonathan Cooley
With Jeremy Chinn likely moving to a “rover” role on defense, the Panthers will look for upgrades at nickel corner and free safety this offseason. Scott would be a versatile piece to add to the secondary. It also helps that both Evero and Cooley have previously worked with him, in Los Angeles with the Rams. Scott started 16 of 17 games for the Rams last season and produced 86 tackles, five pass breakups, two interceptions and two forced fumbles.
RB Boston Scott
Coaching connection: Duce Staley
If the Panthers choose to pass on the top-dollar running backs in free agency (including D’Onta Foreman), they could look to add another rotational piece to the backfield. Scott would be a cost-effective addition to the Panthers’ rotation under Staley, who worked with him from 2018 to 2020 in Philadelphia. Scott can return kicks and serve as a short-yardage back in Carolina at a cost-effective price.
WR Robert Woods
Coaching connection: Thomas Brown
Coming off a rough season in Tennessee, Woods was released in a cost-cutting move earlier this offseason. While he isn’t likely to nab more than a one-year deal on the open market, Woods should target a team that needs leadership and reliability to give himself a notable role. Woods spent time with Brown, the Panthers’ new offensive coordinator, in Los Angeles, and he could serve as a locker room leader for a remodeled group on offense. Punter Johnny Hekker and right guard Austin Corbett have already tried to recruit Woods on Twitter.
NFL free agency officially begins on March 15 at 4 p.m. ET.
This story was originally published March 6, 2023 at 5:00 AM.
