Panthers Tracks: What remaining NFL free agents make sense for Carolina’s cap space?
Free agency has slowed down. With three weeks to go until the NFL draft, much of the attention has turned to the NFL players to-be and figuring out where each prospect may fit this upcoming season. That doesn’t mean there aren’t free agents on the market who could benefit the Panthers. There are a lot of good players not yet signed
The Panthers don’t have the cap room to add much more in free agency. As of Friday morning, they had just over $13 million in space, per Spotrac. Around $10 million of that has to go to the draft picks. But which free agents could still make sense for Carolina? They still have a lot of holes and aren’t heavy on experience; help is no doubt needed. The offensive guard and defensive back situations are … not ideal.
Here are a few names worth considering.
G Mike Iupati
This seems like a logical fit. The Panthers need help at guard. They lost both of their starters this offseason — Trai Turner through the trade with the Chargers and Greg Van Roten in free agency. Carolina brought in Bengals guard John Miller on a one-year deal to fill one of the spots and second-year player Dennis Daley is likely filling the other.
Daley could use more time to develop and learn behind experienced players. Bringing in Iupati on a short-term deal could accomplish that — Iupati was with the Seahawks last year and is almost 33-years old. Iupati could be a fill-in as the Panthers continue to rebuild and be a veteran presence for a young offense. The team can bring in all the weapons it wants (see wide receiver Robby Anderson), but if they want to keep Teddy Bridgewater off his back, more depth at guard is needed. Miller at right guard and Iupati at left guard would only improve the line.
Alternative available at the position: G Mike Person.
CB Dre Kirkpatrick
This seems not as likely, but it’s an intriguing idea. The Bengals released Kirkpatrick earlier this week after he spent the first eight years of his career with the organization. The former first-round pick might be too expensive for the Panthers, or he might want too much of a commitment. But the Panthers don’t have a James Bradberry replacement on the roster — who is starting opposite Donte Jackson right now?
Kirkpatrick, 30, would bring a veteran presence to a defensive group that moved on from many veterans this offseason. He has plenty of experience and can help Jackson continue to grow. He allowed 6.9 yards per target in 2019, but played in only six games after suffering a season-ending knee injury.
It could be a good restart for both sides or Kirkpatrick could simply serve as a bridge to help the defense grow. There’s no denying he would fill a large area of need.
Alternative at the position: CB Bashaud Breeland
DB Ross Cockrell
Why shouldn’t the Panthers bring back Cockrell? He’s not going to be expensive, and he can serve in a variety of roles in the defensive backfield.
Cockrell, 28, has played in at least 14 games each of the last four years and has had two-plus interceptions in three of those seasons. He also tied a career-high with 62 tackles last year. The Panthers need veterans who can help develop less-experienced players like Jackson and Juston Burris. Cockrell can help serve that role and be a reliable part of the defense.
Alternative at the position: DB Tramaine Brock
Edge Jabaal Sheard
This fit makes sense for a couple of reasons, and this isn’t the first time it has been pointed out. The biggest? Mike Phair, the Panthers’ new defensive line coach, is coming off of spending the past two years coaching the Colts’ defensive line — Sheard included.
While Sheard isn’t coming off his best year, he has 4.5-plus sacks in each of the past five years. He is also consistent, playing at least 13 games in each of the past nine seasons since entering the league. The Panthers signed defensive end Stephen Weatherly in the offseason to help address the team’s losses on the defensive line, but they still need more help and could certainly use another dominant presence on the edge.
Like Carolina what did with left tackle Russell Okung, there is value in pairing players with position coaches who they are comfortable with. Sheard fills a need and could be a good fit, if he comes at the right price.
Alternative at the position: Edge Vinny Curry
Required reading
+ Panthers mock draft 2.0: Addressing what Carolina still needs after free agency
+ The Carolina Panthers now own their future headquarters site in Rock Hill
+ Fowler: Jake Delhomme was in Cam Newton’s shoes and knows where it all went south with Panthers
+ New Carolina Panthers coach Matt Rhule left a lasting impression on Tahir Whitehead
+ How the Panthers are working with PSL owners who may struggle to pay for tickets on time
