Carolina Panthers: What Concerns Need Addressing Next?

By Raphael Garcia | Jun 5, 2015

Now that the Carolina Panthers have locked Cam Newton into a long-term deal the organization can turn their focus towards other areas of concern coming into this off-season. Looking at the two-time NFC South champions, there are more than a few holes that need to be addressed for continued success in the 2015-2016 NFL season.

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Wide Receiver

The wide receiver position has always been a major concern for the Panthers organization. The days of Steve Smith, Mushin Muhammad and Ricky Proehl are long over. Since then, the team has struggled to find a suitable core of receivers to compliment a quarterback such as Newton.

Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen (88). Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Tight end Greg Olsen and wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin are both coming off of impressive seasons that each saw them total exactly 1,008 receiving yards. However, the team lacks true depth behind them. It will be interesting to see how Ted Ginn, Jr. is welcomed back to the fold after spending a year with the Arizona Cardinals.

Jarrett Boykin is another individual that the team has added to the roster. Boykin performed well back in 2013 when he served in a backup role for the Green Bay Packers. That season, he finished third on the team in catches (49) and receiving yards (681) and three touchdowns

If the Panthers can find a suitable third option for their receiving core, they will have a much improved aerial attack, Carolina finished 19th in the league in passing yards.

Offensive Line

The O-line was a serious need that had to be addressed coming into the spring and summer. This past season, the Panthers allowed 42 sacks, tied with the Seattle Seahawks for the 12th-highest total in the league.

To solve those problems the organization has brought in both Michael Oher and Jonathan Martin. Both individuals have experience in the positions and were the top individuals available but that doesn’t make them a high-caliber solution. Daryl Williams, the third round pick from Oklahoma University, may have some value in that position as well, but the Panthers need someone who can step into that role right now.

Running Back

The Panthers have been a team that has functioned heavily as a run-first offense for much of their existence. Without DeAngelo Williams on the roster, they need another back that can help take the load off of Jonathan Stewart.

Jan 3, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers running back Fozzy Whittaker (43) runs for a touchdown during the third quarter past Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) during the third quarter in the 2014 NFC Wild Card playoff football game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Fifth-round pick Cameron Artis-Payne from Auburn University will have to compete with Fozzy Whittaker and Jordan Todman for carries behind Stewart. Both of these men are the type of runners that play between the tackles and can be used to tire out a defense throughout the course of the game. This plays directly into the type of action that the Panthers tend to conduct when operating at full capacity.

However, it would be interesting for them to add another option that can break long runs like Williams could in the past. The ability to turn a small gain into a large chunk of yardage is a vital weapon that all teams need to have on their roster.

Offense has been a serious concern for the Carolina Panthers the last few seasons. While their defense tends to perform very well, the players on the other side of the ball have struggled to find the personnel to complement that performance. Now that the Panthers have locked Newton into a long term deal, the wide receiving core, offensive line and running backs are the next positions in need of attention.

Next: Carolina Panthers: 5 Key Stats

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