Here’s a look at the wide receivers that will potentially be on the market in the upcoming free agency period, provided their current team doesn’t take the opportunity to re-sign them. Based on current contract value (via Spotrac) or projected market value, at the top are three players I’m not really interested in. We also have four players looking to finally cash in ... but I doubt at the Panthers expense. In the 4th through 14th range I think we have some solid targets. Besides going for a top tier player is not the Panthers normal method of operation. I’ll also throw in a couple sleepers I think the Panthers might roll the dice on.
First at the top in current average salary is Terrell Pryor ($6 million), Mike Wallace ($5.75 million) and Sammy Watkins ($4.98 million). Pryor will probably command an even higher number though he may not get it. Wallace will be the same song and Watkins market value is higher than he made in 2017. Though I would love to have Watkins, I just don’t see the Panthers joining the sweepstakes for him.
There are four other free agents looking for a big pay raise after break out seasons, based on the their perceived market vale: Jarvis Landry, ($13.8 million), Allen Robinson ($13 million), Marqise Lee ($7.5 million) and Paul Richardson ($6.3 million). I’d really like to see the Panthers make a run at any of those four but I just don’t see the Panthers getting in the bidding war. I’m almost positive one the Jags, either Lee or Robinson will walk. My preference would be Landry if we dreaming big. By the way, cannot believe he made less than $1 million last season.
Here are three free agents in the middle ten that I like the most:
No. 7 Dontrelle Inman ($2.76 million) - It’s hard to imagine the Bears letting Inman walk after trading a 7th round draft pick for him just this past October but stranger things have happened in Chicago. Inman played fairly well for the Bears given he had a rookie quarterback throwing to him. If the Bears try to go cheap on the 29 year old he may walk in order to maximize what little time he has left in the NFL.
No. 10 Jaron Brown ($1.9 million) - Brown averaged 15 yards a catch and scored four touchdowns for the Cardinals last season. Brown recovered from major knee surgery in 2016 to post decent numbers. At 28 years old Brown the Cardinals would be nuts to let him walk, but Brown may be looking for a bigger role somewhere else.
No. 13 Albert Wilson ($1.79 million) - Wilson is a slot receiver at only 5’9” but he is another player that practices hard and has overcome the adversity of coming from a small college. He averaged over 13 yards per catch though in 2017, and I think could do the same in Carolina.
Do you see a theme Panthers fans? I’m thinking Panthers offensive coordinator Norv Turner will covet players able to make catches down the field while the new general manager will like a middle of the road salary.
Now my favorite two sleepers. Both of these guys lacked solid quarterback last season and could just need a change of scenery.
Cody Latimer ($927k)
Donte Moncrief ($702k)
Who are your favorites Panthers fans?