Defensive Line
Julius Peppers will likely ride into the sunset – hopefully with a Walter Payton Man of the Year trophy as a consolation prize for a final losing season – and into the Hall of Fame and a group that was unable all season to produce pressure with only the front four rushing will likely draw an infusion of young talent either via a splashy free agent like Frank Clark or Dee Ford or early in the draft – this class is loaded with talented edge rushers and someone to play opposite Mario Addison is sorely needed. Don’t expect Wes Horton, who will also enter free agency, back unless it’s on a very team-friendly deal – he had 1.5 sacks in Week 1 and hasn’t gotten home since; the Panthers will likely turn to younger players like Marquis Haynes, Efe Obada and Bryan Cox, Jr. to bring up the back-end of the rotation behind Addison and a new face.
The Panthers coaches have praised the play of Dontari Poe, so don’t expect him to go anywhere, especially not with the team only saving $2.6m instead of four times that much after next season; the Panthers would also like to bring back rotational piece and free agent Kyle Love, who has been with the team since 2014. Former first-rounder Vernon Butler was inactive for two games this season in favor of Horton, who the Panthers wanted to get a look at on the inside – they likely won’t pick up his fifth-year option, but he’ll certainly get a chance to compete for the fourth tackle spot in camp.
Linebacker
Thomas Davis has waffled on whether or not he’ll be back multiple times over the past twelve months, but if the team can give him a contract he likes, signs are pointing towards the “Mayor of Charlotte” coming back – albeit in a reduced role to Shaq Thompson, whose rookie contract will be up after next season; Davis still looked like his old self in run defense, but was beat multiple times in coverage. He’s likely one of the reasons the Panthers had issues with tight end throughout the season; the team likes what they saw from rookie Jermaine Carter, Jr. in limited snaps, so don’t be surprised if either Ben Jacobs or David Mayo aren’t back next year and Carter takes the mantel of “linebacker who excels on special teams” before pushing for a starting spot in a few years.
Secondary
While Mike Adams likely won’t be back – his contract is up after this season – the Panthers would like to bring back Eric Reid, who has played well since joining the team after their Week 4 bye; they’ll need to find a free safety to pair with him, whether that is 2018 third-rounder Rashaan Gaulden – who will get more playing time in Week 17 against the Saints – or a player in the draft or a free agent that may cost less in a depressed safety market. Reid says he’s looking for “market value” but would like to come back to Carolina – pair that with Rivera saying they would like to have him back and a reunion seems likely for the 27-year old and the Panthers secondary.
The Panthers can save nearly $3m against the salary cap by parting ways with Da’Norris Searcy, who hasn’t played since suffering a concussion during Week 2 – they also have three corners that can play inside in Captain Munnerlyn, Kevon Seymour and Ross Cockrell to go along with the outside pairing of Bradberry and Jackson; don’t expect all three of those players to make the final roster, although it may be Cockrell – who has been seen at practice this week working on the side – competing with Seymour, who had surgery before the season to repair a shoulder injury, in training camp – not to mention third-year player Corn Elder, instead of the 30-year old Munnerlyn, who would save the Panthers $3.5m against the cap if he’s designated as a post-June 1 cut.
A change is coming in Carolina, that much is for certain; the only question now is not if or when, but how big that change will be.
