5 free agents Panthers should target that nobody is talking about
By Dean Jones
Ronald Blair – DE
- 2020 team – San Francisco 49ers
Although there is an injury red-flag where Ronald Blair is concerned, there is little doubt he would be a tremendous addition to the Carolina Panthers if he proves his fitness. The defensive end suffered a torn ACL late in the 2019 campaign that prevented him from playing a single snap this time around, so whether the San Francisco 49ers are going to bring him back or not remains to be seen.
Blair has proven more than capable of generating pressure in opposing backfields in a rotational role. Considering the Panthers already have stud edge rusher Brian Burns and promising rookie Yetur Gross-Matos on the books, there wouldn’t be a lot of pressure on the former fifth-round pick from a starting standpoint, which is desirable considering he’s spent so long away from the gridiron.
The Appalachian State product has 13.5 sacks over his four years in the NFL before injury took its toll. Blair is a huge body that creates havoc using explosive power, with his ability to assist on running downs another notable element to consider that shouldn’t be overlooked.
Carolina’s defensive front made some significant strides as the season went on. But the likes of recently released duo Kawann Short and Stephen Weatherly need to be replaced despite their relative lack of involvement in 2020.