The Super Bowl’s over, the quarterback carousel is still spinning and there’s a gap in the league calendar where the combine used to be. But the NFL doesn’t ever really stay quiet, and we’re only a little more than a month away from the start of free agency on March 17 (the legal tampering window begins March 15).
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The Panthers have a fairly long list of 21 free agents who could hit the market, including a number of players who came to Charlotte on one-year deals last offseason so head coach Matt Rhule — and now new general manager Scott Fitterer — could figure out who was worth keeping around and making part of the rebuild.
Some of those guys will turn out to be rentals, but a few are worth bringing back. How will it all shake out? The Athletic breaks down each of the Panthers’ free agents, ranked in order of how Rhule and Fitterer figure to prioritize the class:
1. OT Taylor Moton, unrestricted free agent: Moton has played his way into a big payday as a result of his consistent play and dependability. The former second-rounder from Western Michigan played every snap in 2020 and has logged more than 99.5 percent of the offensive snaps since becoming a starter three years ago. Moton and Trent Williams are the top free-agent tackles, so the demand for Moton will be high. It seems likely the Panthers will use the franchise tag on Moton, which would cost an estimated $13.6 million with a $180.5 million salary cap, according to Over the Cap.
2. WR Curtis Samuel, unrestricted free agent: The Panthers approached Samuel about an extension late last season. But that close to free agency, Samuel’s side decided to see what the market would bear for a fast, versatile playmaker who’s still only 24.
Since that time, two things have happened that would seem to strengthen Samuel’s free agency: Urban Meyer, Samuel’s coach at Ohio State, was hired in Jacksonville, and former Panthers GM Marty Hurney joined Ron Rivera in Washington. If Samuel’s market turns out to be somewhat cool, the Panthers would like to get him back in Joe Brady’s offense, in which the 2017 second-round pick thrived.
3. DL Efe Obada, restricted free agent: Obada was a feel-good story for the Panthers after making the team in 2018 out of the NFL’s International Player Pathway program. But Obada has developed into a good player and gives defensive coordinator Phil Snow another chess piece as a player with position flexibility. Often lining up inside in passing situations, the 6-6, 265-pound Obada finished with 5.5 sacks, second behind only Brian Burns’ 9.0 among Carolina defenders.
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4. G John Miller, unrestricted free agent: Miller is one of four offensive line starters set to become free agents, with center Matt Paradis the only starter up front under contract. Miller, who took over at right guard for Trai Turner, was overmatched occasionally on the interior. But he held up well for the most part and drew praise from Rhule for his professional approach. It would be tough for the Panthers to start over with two new starters at guard.
5. TE Chris Manhertz, unrestricted free agent: Teddy Bridgewater never did transform Manhertz into a pass-catching tight end, after working with him after practice during training camp. But Manhertz is still valuable as a leader and a blocker, especially if the Panthers choose not to keep a fullback on the roster. Re-signing Manhertz will not preclude Fitterer from adding a tight end in free agency or, more likely, in the draft.
6. OT Trent Scott, restricted free agent: The fact that Scott took over at left tackle for the injured Russell Okung last season was both an indictment of Greg Little and a testament to Scott, the former undrafted free agent who was claimed off waivers from the Chargers before Week 1. Scott, a 6-5, 320-pounder who played at Grambling, is still developing. But offensive line coach Pat Meyer, who was with Scott in L.A., has confidence in him. Tendering him seems like a no-brainer, even if it’s just to add depth.
7. G Chris Reed, unrestricted free agent: Reed started 14 games at left guard after missing the first two following a positive COVID-19 test. Reed’s Pro Football Focus position grade (63.0) was a touch higher than Miller’s (61.1). But with the Panthers hoping Dennis Daley can claim one of the starting guard spots, it’s doubtful they’ll keep Miller and Reed. And Miller is expected to be the priority.
8. LS J.J. Jansen, unrestricted free agent: In the Panthers’ 26-year history, only John Kasay (221) has appeared in more games than Jansen, who’s played in 192 since being acquired in a trade with Green Bay before the 2009 season. It would be hard to find someone more consistent than the 35-year-old Jansen, who hasn’t had a bad snap since the 2010 opener against the Giants. Jansen, whose last contract was worth an average of $1.1 million per year, said last fall he’d “play here as long as they would have me.”
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9. LB Julian Stanford, unrestricted free agent: How’s a backup linebacker who was on the field for just 16 defensive snaps last season crack the top 10 of this list? By leading the Panthers with seven special-teams tackles and establishing himself as a core special teams guy. Every team needs a couple of players like Stanford.
10. WR Brandon Zylstra, restricted free agent: Another special-teams regular, Zylstra scored a touchdown at Washington when he recovered a muffed punt, and converted a fake punt with a 28-yard reception on a throw from Joseph Charlton at Kansas City. With the low RFA tender at $2.13 million, the Panthers are more likely to bring back Zylstra at a minimum salary.
11. RB Mike Davis, unrestricted free agent: Davis was a capable fill-in for Christian McCaffrey, finishing with more than 1,000 scrimmage yards for the first time in his six-year career. But Davis made $3 million in 2020 — more than what the Panthers want to pay their No. 2 running back. The ex-South Carolina standout could be a possibility on a team-friendly deal. Otherwise, the Panthers will roll with their young backs behind CMC.
12. WR Keith Kirkwood, restricted free agent: The former Saint played for Rhule at Temple and is familiar with Brady and Bridgewater from their time in New Orleans. Kirkwood broke his collarbone in training camp, returned and reinjured it in a Week 6 loss to Chicago. Like Zylstra, could be back at the right price.
13. CB Rasul Douglas, unrestricted free agent: The ex-Eagles defensive back started 11 games after the Panthers claimed him before the regular season. The 26-year-old Douglas has good size (6-2, 209), is solid in run support and a capable zone corner. That said, the Panthers have young corners they want to see play.
14. CB Corn Elder, unrestricted free agent: In his second stint in Carolina, Elder was the starting nickel before losing the spot to rookie Myles Hartsfield. Again, there are younger, cheaper options on the roster — and probably more to come.
15. FB Alex Armah, unrestricted free agent: Had only five carries in 2020, including the fourth-down rush with the game on the line in Week 1 against the Raiders. The Panthers are looking to add at least one tight end, which likely means they won’t keep a fullback.
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16. WR Pharoh Cooper, unrestricted free agent: Lost his kick return job to Trenton Cannon and was mostly a non-factor in the passing game.
17. LB Adarius Taylor, unrestricted free agent: Backup linebacker who wasn’t as productive as Stanford on special teams.
18. OL Tyler Larsen, unrestricted free agent: Started 15 games at center in 2016-17 when Ryan Kalil was injured. But has only three starts since, including none the past two years. Could draw interest from the Panthers’ D.C. bureau.
19. OL Michael Schofield, unrestricted free agent: The other Michael Schofield (you’d have to have watched “Prison Break”) started games at guard and tackle. But Rhule has said he wants to get younger on offense, and the 30-year-old Schofield is behind Miller and Reed on the depth chart.
20. OT Russell Okung, unrestricted free agent: The Okung-for-Turner trade didn’t really work out for either team, other than the fact that in Okung, the Panthers acquired a player with an expiring contract. That said, if Fitterer — who was in Seattle when the Seahawks drafted Okung No. 6 overall in 2010 — believes he can stay healthy, Okung is probably much higher on their list.
21. LB Tahir Whitehead, unrestricted free agent: No one said following Luke Kuechly was going to be easy.
(Photo of Curtis Samuel: Nick Wosika / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
