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Carolina Panthers: 3 Bargains to target in 2019 NFL free agency

By Russell S. Baxter

KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 9: Michael Crabtree #15 of the Baltimore Ravens walks on to the field for the Ravens first drive during the first quarter of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on December 9, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 9: Michael Crabtree #15 of the Baltimore Ravens walks on to the field for the Ravens first drive during the first quarter of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on December 9, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 30: John Sullivan #65 gets ready to snap the ball to Jared Goff #16 of the Los Angeles Rams against the San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 30, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. Rams won 48-32. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 30: John Sullivan #65 gets ready to snap the ball to Jared Goff #16 of the Los Angeles Rams against the San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 30, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. Rams won 48-32. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images) /

3. C John Sullivan (Los Angeles Rams)

As previously mentioned, long time Carolina Panthers center Ryan Kalil announced his retirement after the 2018 season. The five-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro comes off a year in which he started all 16 games, this after missing a total of 18 contests the previous two years combined.

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The 12-year veteran played in 148 regular-season contests and started all but three games. It’s safe to say that filling his cleats will be a tall order for Ron Rivera’s team. But the solution could be another veteran who was a part of the Super Bowl LIII-bound Los Angeles Rams.

Pivot John Sullivan has spent the last past two seasons with this club, both of which resulted in trips to the postseason. Still, the franchise has its share of players that they may want to re-sign and opted not to pick up Sullivan’s option for 2019. A sixth-round pick by the Minnesota Vikings in 2008, he was the Purple Gang’s starting center for six seasons from 2009-14.

After missing 2015 due to injury, he wound up with the Redskins one year later. He latched on with the Rams in 2016 and was part of one of the best offensive lines in the league this past season, a unit was amazing continuity. Could he be a stopgap addition for the Panthers this fall?

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