This is an annual series by me and Luke where we predict, and mock an off-season for certain teams. We start every year with each of our favorite teams and run through realistic off-season moves to improve the team.
Moving on next we have the Carolina Panthers. The coaching staff is critical to improving the team as a whole, but for the Panthers, there aren't any changes to make. This is a team that needs to keep building and adding more personnel.
Keep/Trade/Walk
Before free agency begins, there's a period where you can re-sign players before them being able to walk. You can also make trades or just flat-out release players as well. In reviewing some of the Panther's upcoming free agents, here's who staying and who is going. Then after the list, I'll include some reasons why below.
Keep ✅
Andy Dalton (QB)
Raheem Blackshear (RB)
David Moore (WR)
Tommy Tremble (TE)
Austin Corbett (OL)
Mike Jackson (CB)
Let Walk ❌
Ian Thomas (TE)
Brady Christensen (OL)
Shaq Thompson (LB)
Anthony Brown (CB)
Nick Scott (S)
Jordan Fuller (S)
Not too much to go off here, but the Panthers will need to look for more defensive help in way of free agency and the draft.
Free Agency
This leads to the next pillar of the off-season, free agency. Similar to the above, I'll list out all the free agent signings I would like to see, and then I'll include some notes below. What's notable here is the Panthers had around $20.8M in cap space before the changes I made above, and after those changes, the Panthers are projected to be conservative spenders.
Free Agent Signings 💸
Ross Dwelley (TE)
Lavonte David (LB)
Asante Samuel Jr. (CB)
Isaac Yiadom (CB)
John Johnson III (S)
A BIG emphasis on defense, with some big defensive pieces landing such as Samuel Jr. and Lavonte David. Key pieces and David as a veteran leader to help get the defense on the right track.
NFL Draft
The Panthers currently have 9 draft picks, including 3 on the first two, and a Top 10 overall pick in the first round. Here is what I have the Jets doing with the picks in their first two days.
Draft Picks
Tetairoa McMillan (WR) in Round 1
Princely Umanmielen (EDGE) in Round 2
Sebastian Castro (S) in Round 3
The Panthers finally get Young a legit WR1, and they add some key defensive pieces.
New-Look Panthers
If all goes well, this SHOULD be a team capable of either winning the division or fighting for a playoff spot.
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