Carolina Panthers: 3 Bargains to target in 2019 NFL free agency
The Carolina Panthers already look like a different team these days. What three players could the franchise add this offseason without spending big money?
Back in 2015, the Carolina Panthers won their first 14 games, finished 15-1 and wound up in Super Bowl 50. That would prove to be a painful experience for Ron Rivera’s squad as the highest-scoring team in the league that season and was stifled by an overpowering Denver Broncos’ defensive unit in a 24-10 loss.
That year marked the last of three consecutive playoff appearances for the team. The Panthers slumped to 6-10 one year later but then rebounded, finishing 11-5 and claiming a Wild Card berth in 2017.
This past season, it appeared that the franchise would finally post a second consecutive winning campaign. But the team would suddenly find itself in the midst of a seven-game slide. And only a meaningless win at New Orleans over a Saints’ team resting many of its regulars for the playoff prevented another 10-loss showing for Rivera and company.
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So far this offseason, the Panthers have seen both defensive end Julius Peppers and center Ryan Kalil announce their retirements. Veteran outside linebacker Thomas Davis won’t be back with the team. Carolina recently released cornerback Captain Munnerlyn and announced that veteran free safety Mike Adams won’t be re-signed.
Via Spotrac, the Panthers don’t have a lot of cap space as of this writing, which means they may not be done jettisoning some veteran players. Meanwhile, what three players could general manager Marty Hurney have in his sights?