5 free agents the Panthers could target in 2021
By Dean Jones
Chris Jones
The Kansas City Chiefs made the smart move of placing their franchise tag on Chris Jones following their Super Bowl triumph. This will earn the player north of $16 million in 2020 providing a long-term agreement is not reached before then.
Jones is an imposing defensive tackle who played a pivotal role in the Chiefs’ securing their first-ever Vince Lombardi Trophy last season. He was on the field for 58 percent of the team’s defensive snaps on his way to nine sacks, one forced fumble, and 23 solo tackles.
The former second-round pick is only 25-years-old, so there is plenty of scope for improvement. If Jones has another standout year in the trenches he could become the hottest defensive free agent commodity next spring.
Spotrac projected his market value to be $19.2 annually on a five-year $96.4 million deal prior to the franchise tag. If Kawann Short does not return to the player of old in 2020, he is a prime candidate for release and would give the Panthers free agency team enough funds to at least make an enticing offer to the player.
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Putting Jones alongside No. 7 overall pick Derrick Brown is a mouth-watering prospect than could transform the fortunes of the franchise. There is every chance Short does make a solid contribution after his 2019 campaign ended prematurely. But given the fact he is due to count $20.81 million against the Panthers salary cap in 2021, he would have to play at an All-Pro level to stay around.