5 AFC East free agents the Panthers could target in 2021

David Andrews – C

• 2020 team – New England Patriots

The New England Patriots are going through a period of transition. While their former quarterback Tom Brady was lifting his seventh Super Bowl after an astonishing turnaround with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Bill Belichick lost his stranglehold on the AFC East to the Buffalo Bills after a two-decade spell of dominance.

They weren’t helped by a host of defensive opt-outs due to COVID-19 or quarterback Cam Newton – who joined after his controversial release from the Carolina Panthers – also contracting the virus at a time when it seemed he was back to something like his old self.

Big changes could be coming in New England this offseason, which might make players such as David Andrews available on the market. The center has been a solid starter for the Patriots over his five-year career in the NFL, with the player boasting two rings over this span.

The Panthers might be toying with the idea of releasing Matt Paradis to free up some much-needed funds that could be better spent elsewhere. Carolina would need to ensure they have a ready and willing replacement if they parted ways with the Boise State product ahead of time, which Andrews most certainly is.

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Belichick might decide to offer him an extension to keep some continuity even if Newton doesn’t look to be going back. However, given the current state of affairs in New England, Andrews won’t get a better opportunity to test his skills in a different environment.