This is The Gridiron Review’s Carolina Panthers 2023 Offseason Team Breakdown. We provide you with all things you need to know about the Panthers heading into FA and the draft. We also provide our thoughts on the needs of the team and how we think they can be addressed!
Carolina Panthers 2022 Record: 7-10
Carolina Panthers Salary Cap(According to Spotrac): $-9,562,644
Notable Free Agents(According to Spotrac):
- Sam Darnold, QB
- PJ Walker, QB
- D’Onta Foreman, RB
- Rashard Higgins, WR
- Matthew Ioannidis, DL
- Cory Littleton, LB
Team Needs: QB, RB, WR(Depth), TE, DT, LB
3 Free Agent Targets(In No Order):
- Jacoby Brissett, QB
- Austin Hooper, TE
- David Onyemata, DL
Carolina Panthers First Round Pick(s): Pick 9
3 Draft Prospect Fits/Targets:
- Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
- CJ Stroud, QB, Ohio State
- Drew Sanders, LB, Arkansas
Our Panthers Ideal Offseason Plans/Thoughts:
- The Carolina Panthers have really struggled to find their franchise QB since Cam Newton. Despite having a pretty strong roster, no free agent sticks out as a true fit long term. The only player they should target as a long term starter outside of the draft is Lamar Jackson, otherwise the team is young so a rookie works in this situation. When you look at the Panthers roster, it is absolutely shocking that they’re picking in the top 10. This team is literally a QB away from being a contender in a fairly weak NFC South. Given the current state of the team we think that Ohio State’s CJ Stroud makes a ton of sense. We believe Stroud is the only QB in this year’s class who can step in on day one and give you solid QB play with upside (as opposed to Young who could theoretically play right away but with a much lower ceiling). However, we are also huge fans of the bridge QB route for the Panthers. Carolina could see shades of Cam Newton in Florida’s Anthony Richardson. Richardson is not ready to play on day one though, so if they want to go this route they need to get a veteran they feel comfortable playing. Enter Jacoby Brissett. For those who don’t remember Brissett played QB for Reich in Indy, and wherever he goes Brissett proves that he can win football games. This allows for the Panthers to win now as well as give their QB of the future time to develop.
- Foreman has really revitalized his career within the last few years, and continued to look strong this season in Carolina after they traded McCaffrey. We can’t imagine Foreman breaks the bank in any way, shape, or form so re-signing is logical. Yes, Reich had a bell cow RB in JT in Indy, but he could go back to his Philly roots and run a RB committee with Foreman, Hubbard, and maybe a day 2 or day 3 back. Don’t make the mistake of overpaying for a lead back in this free agency.
- The Panthers WR core has some pieces, but they should add some depth. We really hope Reich can build a role into the offense for Shenault who we believe is still waiting for the right role to breakout.
- The TE position is difficult to get a gauge on in Carolina. Ian Thomas is nothing special. Given their cap situation, bringing in a cheaper veteran who can help develop the young guys like Tremble, makes a lot of sense. We like Hooper as an option here. He’s a big body in the middle of the field that can be a QBs best friend, but he’s also a good blocker. If Reich wants to start fresh and bring in his own guy at TE, think Darnell Washington. I know a lot of people’s first thought is Mayer or Kincaid, but Washington is very similar to the tight end Reich draft last year in Indy (Jelani Woods).
- The Panthers defense is probably one of the best in the league and one of the youngest which makes them even scarier. On the line, Ioannidis is a FA. They could re-sign him, but if they want to go a different direction David Onyemata could be brought over from the Saints. Onyemata is good against the run and is also a solid pass rush presence from the interior. Also, nothing is sweeter than taking from your division rivals.
- The Panthers LB room isn’t bad. They have their leader in Shaq Thompson, and Luvu has really established himself as a solid starter, but Cory Littleton is a FA this year. Littleton could be brought back as a cheap veteran option, but they could upgrade that position if they really wanted to bolster the defense. If they choose not to go QB at pick 9, don’t be shocked if Arkansas LB Drew Sanders is on their War Room board. Sanders could end up being their best LB since Kuechly if they take him.