Cat Crave
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Panthers offseason roster priorities ranked – UPDATED

By Brandon Scott

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 07: Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers looks on during the game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 7, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 07: Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers looks on during the game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 7, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /
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The Carolina Panthers have a number of holes in their current roster but which are the most important…

Carolina Panthers general manager Marty Hurney has his hands full after losing a significant number of starters in the past couple of weeks. The free agent signing period always creates some roster turnover for every team but the Panthers have experienced a number of high profile departures from players on whom they have heavily relied on in the past.

Veteran running back Jonathan Stewart is gone and so too is safety Kurt Coleman. Stewart had been a fixture in Carolina since being drafted in the first-round (No. 13 overall) of the 2008 NFL Draft. Coleman was only a part of the Panthers for a few seasons but earned the right to be a captain and was an obvious influence on a young secondary and inside the locker room.

Two pivotal losses also opened up holes on both the offensive and defensive lines. Free agent guard Andrew Norwell and defensive tackle Star Lotulelei each decided to test the market and found higher paying contracts with other teams.

Defensive end Julius Peppers is, thankfully, returning but Charles Johnson was a starter for eight of his 11 years while registering the second most sacks in franchise history before being released. On the outside, cornerback Daryl Worley was traded after splitting time with Kevon Seymour but ultimately he had earned more playing time down the stretch.

While Hurney made the move to bolster the receiving core with Torrey Smith from Philadelphia, the Worley departure makes six positions vacated by starters on both sides of the football, two on offense and four on defense.

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Former general manager Dave Gettleman began implementing a plan to surround franchise quarterback Cam Newton with offensive weapons. While Hurney may have had hopes of continuing along the same path, the current roster situation dictates otherwise. The loss of Norwell especially, makes replacing him with someone capable of protecting the quarterback even more important. The answer could be on the roster in Taylor Moton or Tyler Larsen but would require a change of position for both.

Hurney has already made a move to replace Lotulelei by signing Dontari Poe but may be starting another season with a rookie at corner just two years removed from James Bradberry and Worley starting together for a majority of their first year in the league.

The moves will continue but current priority should be placed on an offensive guard, cornerback, safety, defensive end and running back – in that order.

Next: NFL Draft - 5 Wide Receiver Targets

Expect at least two rookies to fill some of these positions when the Panthers open regular season play in the fall.

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