Cat Crave
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Carolina Panthers smart to place tender on DE Brian Cox Jr.

By Danny Jaillet

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - DECEMBER 30: Teddy Bridgewater #5 of the New Orleans Saints runs with the ball as Bryan Cox #91 of the Carolina Panthers defends during the first half at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 30, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - DECEMBER 30: Teddy Bridgewater #5 of the New Orleans Saints runs with the ball as Bryan Cox #91 of the Carolina Panthers defends during the first half at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 30, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /
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On Wednesday the Carolina Panthers made a small but important move.

The Carolina Panthers made another offseason move Wednesday, albeit a smaller one then some may be expecting this time of year. The team announced that they have tendered a contract to defensive end Brian Cox Jr. As result of the tender, Carolina now has Cox’s rights, meaning that he will return to Charlotte for a third season.

Cox has an interesting story. He was an undrafted free agent out of Florida in 2017. He would secure a spot with the practice squad at the conclusion of the preseason and received an active roster spot shortly thereafter. You certainly show that he is worthy of a roster spot as he has recorded 16 tackles in 18 games.

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One of the things Cox will have to continue to work on is his ability to be a pass rusher. In order to keep his spot on the roster, he will have to show that he can replace some of the talent that has departed the defensive end position. He should figure to be a huge part of the defensive equation in 2019 as Carolina looks to inject new blood in the defense. Replacing guys such as Julius Peppers will be a tall task, but it is one that players who want to be on this team will have to accept moving forward. This is a league that favors the quarterback tremendously, and as a result, defensive players will have to step up their game.

This is a good move from the perspective of Carolina. He has shown that he has flashes of talent and that he can be an impact player when given the opportunity. With things looking a little thin at defensive end, Carolina needs any help that they can get. If they can manage to acquire a  player that makes an impact and that does not require them to spend too much money on the open market, that is a bonus. This tender shows that they are willing to continue to take a flyer on him. Now, it is all up to him to prove himself to the team. If he can translate the success he had last season into even better play in 2019, the Panthers could have a diamond in the rough on their hands.

Again this is not a move that sees a ton of flash go along with it, but it is a necessary one. Carolina is continuing to tie up loose ends as free agency is set to begin next week. They will certainly have plenty of tough decisions to make.

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