FanPost

5 Free Agents Panthers Should Target

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  • Brandon Flowers-CB
    In the off-season Carolina signed veteran CB Antoine Cason with the hope of replacing productive CB Captain Munnerlyn who recently had been lost to the Vikings who offered more money than the Panthers did. Well, the season started fine for Cason but by mid-year he was gone as he consistently struggled in coverage and tackling throughout the season. By bringing in Flowers the Panthers could get a similar guy; a smart and savvy veteran, who has NFL experience. Flowers actually went to the Pro Bowl in 2013 in which he was with the Chiefs. The Chiefs released him after he did not show up for voluntary off-season workouts in which he expressed he was not happy with the team. The Chargers signed him later for a rather modest deal and if Carolina can do the same they can get a major STEAL if he returns to his Pro Bowl year. Look for him to start next to Norman if Carolina decides to sing him which would move Benwikere back to the nickel spot in which he excelled early in the year.
  • Charles Tillman-CB
    If the Panthers want to improve the secondary that is filled with young players then what better player to sign than Charles Tillman. Tillman is another productive veteran that can come to Carolina and help out the young Carolina secondary that only has one veteran in S Roman Harper. He along with Harper can bring in experience and teach a thing or two to these young Panthers. Tillman last year was injured as he suffered a torn triceps in Week 2 but before that he was one of the better CB's in the league. He is a former 2x Pro Bowler who also won the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award last year thank to his contributions off the field. Tillman best season was in 2012 went not only he went to the Pro Bowl but also was named and to the All Pro team after a monster year in which he led the league in forced fumbles with 10 and also had three interceptions returned for touchdowns that also led the league. Tillman is soon to be 34 and if the decides to keep on playing I think the Panthers should pursue him and could be a solid player for them this upcoming season.
  • Hakeem Nicks-WR
    This passed off-season the Panthers decided to clean the house and opted not to resign their whole WR corps. The top 4 WRs were let go which included the much debated release of WR Steve Smith. They tried signing guys like Desean Jackson, James Jones, and Hakeem Nicks all which they failed to do so. Nicks was the closest to sign but after an interview with GM Dave Gettleman it was determined it was his best interest not to sign with the Panthers, rather the Colts who were also pursuing him. One year later it would be BOTH of their best interest to come together in Carolina. For Nicks it would be chance to revive his career after a down year with the Colts in which he only caught 38 receptions for 405 yards. Note that he was playing behind T.Y Hilton and Reggie Wayne for the whole season and still caught 38 Rec which would make him the a close 3rd in Rec for WR if he was in Carolina. The Charlotte native could come to Carolina and start at WR which could provide a much needed weapon for Cam Newton and the offense.
  • Andre Holmes-WR
    Carolina needs offensive weapons mainly at the WR spot and one FA to look out for is Andre Holmes. Holmes is a tall WR standing at 6'4 and Carolina has shown that they like tall WRs (6'5 Kelvin Benjamin) and pairing him next to Kelvin would provide challenges for opposing secondary's especially small corners. Holmes last season broke out for the Raiders hauling in 47 receptions for 693 yards while playing with a rookie QB in Derek Carr. Holmes would provide the Panthers another target deep which would make Cotchery a slot receiver which in this point in his career is what would make him more productive. The Panthers won't need to spend a lot of money to sign him which makes him a very intriguing prospect Carolina should target.
  • King Dunlap-OT
    Offensive line was the weak link all season long for the Panthers, consistently struggling in pass protection, and heading into the off-season it is important for the Panthers to sign somebody weather by the draft or the FA pool. One name to look out for is LT King Dunlap. Dunlap was a rock in that Charger offensive line all season starting all 16 games at LT and only allowing 3 sacks while playing more than 1,000 snaps. Dunlap played good enough to make it the Pro Bowl but was shunned by more known tackles like Joe Thomas and Tyron Smith among others. Byron Bell was average at best for the Panthers this season while protecting Cam Newton's blind side and should Dunlap be available the obvious would be for the Panthers to pursue him. They need a better LT to replace Byron Bell and King Dunlap could be that answer.



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