Super Bowl week is still getting cranked up. But once the Eagles and Chiefs settle things Sunday evening in Arizona, the start of free agency will be just four and a half weeks away.
The NFL calendar is relentless. Or as the players say, or used to anyway: The grind don’t (sic) stop.
Last week in Part 1 of The Athletic’s Panthers’ offseason primer, we looked at players who could be salary-cap casualties for a team currently hovering about $9.5 million above the cap. As we pointed out, one plus for the Panthers is having 18 of 22 starters under contract for 2023. Because of that, they are set to lose the fewest number of snaps in free agency among every team in the league, according to Pro Football Focus.
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Of the Panthers’ 16 unrestricted free agents, quarterback Sam Darnold, running back D’Onta Foreman, center Bradley Bozeman and defensive tackle Matt Ioannidis were the only starters. Part 2 of the primer examines the Panthers’ top free agents — not according to how the Panthers might prioritize them, but based on how enticing they likely will be for other teams.
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The Athletic asked two longtime NFL talent evaluators to rank the Panthers’ best six to eight free agents. Five players showed up on both of their lists, which we averaged out to come up with these rankings.
1. Sam Darnold, QB
I can already see the comments popping on this first one. But as mentioned above, this exercise is about how the rest of the league views the Panthers’ free agents. And quarterbacks who show some degree of competency tend to hang around for a while. Darnold was the best of the Panthers’ three quarterbacks who started last season after he came off injured reserve in November. Darnold enjoyed a four-game stretch without a turnover — the longest of his career — before reverting to form in Weeks 17 and 18. But the No. 3 pick from 2018 has a good arm, is smart and can make plays with his feet. Darnold could be a serviceable bridge guy for a team drafting its quarterback of the future, maybe even in Charlotte.
2. Matt Ioannidis, DT
Though he was overshadowed by Derrick Brown’s breakout season, Ioannidis was a solid addition for the Panthers after agreeing to a one-year, $9.5 million deal last offseason. The former Washington defensive tackle only finished with one sack, his lowest total since his rookie season. But Ioannidis still was able to generate interior pressure: His nine quarterback hits were only three fewer than Brown’s total. (Brown also had one sack.) In PFF’s grading system, the 29-year-old Ioannidis ranked among the top third of all defensive linemen overall.
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3. Cam Erving, OT
Similar to a dependable backup quarterback, a veteran swing tackle has value … and staying power. Erving struggled as a starter during his first season in Charlotte. But he found a niche last year as an extra blocker in short-yardage situations, as well as a mentor to rookie left tackle Ikem Ekwonu. Because Ekwonu and right tackle Taylor Moton stayed healthy all season, Erving wasn’t needed as a fill-in starter. But with his size (6-5, 315) and experience (eight seasons), Erving should be able to play into his 30s if he stays healthy. It also helps that he can play every position up front.
4. D’Onta Foreman, RB
No one personified the Panthers’ identity under Steve Wilks more than Foreman. The former University of Texas back wasn’t flashy, but his physical, straightforward running style was effective. Foreman went into Week 18 with an outside shot of reaching his goal of 1,000 rushing yards. But then he and Saints defensive lineman Marcus Davenport got into it in the third quarter and were ejected. The 6-foot, 235-pound Foreman is not a do-everything back in the mold of Christian McCaffrey. He caught just five passes for 26 yards last season. But the 26-year-old still has a lot of tread on his tires and should land somewhere on a short-term contract.
5. Bradley Bozeman, C
Like Foreman, Bozeman was one of the catalysts as the Panthers committed to the ground game in the wake of Matt Rhule’s firing. Bozeman took over for the injured Pat Elflein in Week 7 and started the final 11 games. With Elflein among the potential cap casualties this offseason, Bozeman is viewed as an important free agent for the Panthers, especially since starting guards Austin Corbett (torn ACL) and Brady Christensen (broken ankle) are recovering from serious injuries sustained in Week 18. It will be interesting to see what kind of market materializes for Bozeman, who signed a one-year, prove-it deal last winter after contract talks with the Ravens stalled.
6. Eddy Pineiro, K
The 27-year-old Pineiro doesn’t have an exceptionally strong leg. But the former Bears kicker had a career year after the Panthers scrambled to sign him following a season-ending groin injury to Zane Gonzalez in the final preseason game. Fans were ready for kicker tryouts after Pineiro missed two game-winning kicks at Atlanta. But Wilks stuck with Pineiro, who rebounded to make his last 19 field goals — including the game-winner against the Saints. Pineiro, who finished second in the league with a 94.3 field goal percentage, has strong ties with special teams coordinator Chris Tabor, who was retained by Frank Reich. But the Panthers could go with Gonzalez, who has a year left on his contract, if Pineiro gets a big offer elsewhere.
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7. J.J. Jansen, long snapper
Rhule was looking for Jansen’s replacement when the Panthers drafted Thomas Fletcher in the sixth round in 2021. Instead, Jansen kept the job and became the Panthers’ career leader in games played, while Fletcher was cut last summer and caught on with the XFL’s Seattle Sea Dragons. Jansen was the No. 2 long snapper (behind Tennessee’s Morgan Cox) on the NFLPA’s inaugural Players’ All-Pro team. He and punter Johnny Hekker were the only Panthers to make the top five at their positions. The 37-year-old Jansen wants to play four more years. Signing Jansen to another one-year contract for the veteran minimum seems like a no-brainer.
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8. Cory Littleton, LB
The 29-year-old Littleton was a rotational player last season for the Panthers. That’s probably his future role, depending on where he lands. Littleton, an undrafted free agent out of the University of Washington, went to the Pro Bowl with the Rams in 2018 after the first of two consecutive 125-tackle seasons. Littleton still moves well and finished with 44 tackles last season despite playing only 36 percent of the defensive snaps.
(Top photo of Sam Darnold: Julio Aguilar / Getty Images)
