Oct 16, 2011; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez (88) is tackled by Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Dan Connor (55) after catching a pass during the fourth quarter at the Georgia Dome. The Falcons defeated the Panthers 31-17. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-US PRESSWIRE

The Panthers have one of the highest cap’s in the league, and are going to find it extremely difficult to manage the market if they don’t restructure some contracts. Thomas Davis is the biggest cap hit that needs to be restructured and Travell Wharton is taking up a large amount of space as well.

Below is a list of the players that are of most interest to other teams, that the Panthers should attempt to resign.

Jeremy Shockey is a free agent this year, but doesn’t provide enough upside for the Panthers to dump the amount of money he may require to stay around. He’s a core player from last season, and could be a great asset in the development of Cam Newton, but with Barnidge sitting behind him, Shockey is ultimately expendable.

Dan Connor was a valuable player last season and seems set on testing the market this off-season. He should be resigned at all costs, but again the price must be right with the amount of cap space the Panthers are limited to.

Geoff Schwartz has been a solid piece of the O-Line since joining the team. He has the ability to play both Guard and Tackle and with the O-line a bit shaky last season, he’s a must keep.

Derek Anderson has said that he is happy in his role in Carolina. No doubt he had a hand in the development of Cam Newton, and if last season is any indication of his abilities, he is one hell of a mentor. I’ve lost all faith in Jimmy Clausen and think the Panthers should resign Anderson to help with the continued development of Newton.

Players such as Legedu Naanee and Thomas Williams had their moments last season, but did not impact the team enough for any major resigning. Both players could find homes elsewhere, but the Panthers should cut ties. Again, the cap space is limited and the team has to spend wisely in house, if they want to make an impact during free agency.

Don’t look for a mad-house of signings like last year, but expect the Panthers to make some surprising moves, in order to help the team become playoff bound.

Sep, 1, 2011; Charlotte, NC, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Farrior (51) before the game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-US PRESSWIRE

Earlier this week the Pittsburg Steelers released long time linebacker James Farrior. Farrior is a 15-year veteran and has been one of the best players at his position for the majority of his career. In the last nine seasons he has recorded 100 or more tackles in a season six times.

With the Panthers having so many issues at linebacker last year I think that it would be in their best interest to consider signing Farrior. Yes, a lot of their linebacker issues will be solved with the return of Jon Beason, but there is still a big hole left by the uncertainty of Thomas Davis being able to play. Davis is coming off three seasons in which he tore his ACL three times. That is going to make it extremely difficult for him to get back on the field and perform at the level that we saw from him when he was healthy. This is where James Farrior’s services could prove to be most beneficial.

If Davis is not able to return to form or gets injured again, then the Panthers will have a reliable guy they can count on to provide production. A linebacking corps consisting of James Anderson, Jon Beason, and James Farrior sounds pretty good to me. That would instantly make it one of the best in the NFC. You definitely don’t want to head into the season on the hope of Davis being healthy all year and have no other alternative. As of right now if Davis were to be unable to play then either Jordan Senn or Thomas Williams would be forced to start and I don’t think that’s a reality that the Panthers are going to want to face. Farrior also served as Pittsburg defensive captain for the last nine years, so he could bring over his intensity and vocal presence to help strengthen a Panthers defense that lacks vocal leaders. This should definitely be an idea that the Panthers should be contemplating and maybe by September we’ll be seeing James Farrior in a Panther jersey.