3 problems Carolina Panthers have with patient free-agent approach
By Dean Jones
The potential impact on NFL Draft plans
The Carolina Panthers will need to form their free-agent plans and signings quickly and certainly before it’s time to draw up their shortlist ahead of the 2021 NFL Draft. Scott Fitterer stated he wants to be in a position where there aren’t any holes within the roster so that he can pick the best player available, which might seem like a stretch if his slow-play free agency plans come to fruition.
As stated previously, Carolina’s depth at multiple positions is encouraging. These young players are all developing together and have shown promise more often than not. But it’s hard not to look at any potential improvements and think veterans rather than more young, unproven players are the answer.
This is all about tweaking for the Panthers, especially in critical areas like the offensive line and within their secondary.
Of course, the incoming batch of college recruits will help enormously if Carolina has similar success to what they enjoyed in 2020. But waiting around for fringe free agents will jeopardize Fitterer’s wish to get the best possible prospect in every round no matter their position.
It seems a little unrealistic, especially considering where the Panthers are in their substantial rebuild currently. There is also the small matter of the quarterback uncertainty to consider, which will shift the landscape of the franchise one way or another.