Carolina Panthers poised to stack the deck this offseason

Defensive End

This one might be the most difficult because the moves made with this free agent group will likely begin with either Shaq Barrett or Jadeveon Clowney being signed to a big contract. The Panthers had six options under contract last year, but only two of those six were consistent playmakers and they’re both set to hit the market.

More from Cat Crave

• Ranking the top-five QB prospects the Panthers could draft in 2023
• 4 remaining Carolina Panthers cap crunches after Damien Wilson release
• Could Duce Staley help Carolina Panthers land Jamaal Williams in 2023?
• How much could the Carolina Panthers afford to offer Lamar Jackson?
• 4 Panthers rumors to emerge from 2023 NFL Scouting Combine

If the Panthers end up losing Irvin and Addison in free agency they’ll have no choice but to add another veteran. They already have a bulky edge defender locked up along with three pass rushers, so, assuming Addison isn’t re-signed, they would have to add another solid veteran.

With the direction that the team is headed it wouldn’t be surprising for them to make a move for a younger sack monster like Dante Fowler or Arik Armstead. No matter who they decide to take, it’ll have to be someone who can close off lanes in the run game and be a reliable pass rusher.

Burns is the obvious candidate for a starting position here as his playing time was limited behind Irvin, but the loss of two long-time veterans that both started a majority of the time can really hurt this group if they don’t find another veteran with starting potential.

Hopefully they hang on to Addison, but if they don’t then we can expect them to make a solid free agent acquisition here.