4 second wave free agents that the Panthers should target
By Dean Jones
Which established veteran players should the Carolina Panthers target during the second wave of free agency in the coming days?
It might have been a slow start to free agency for the Carolina Panthers over the first couple of days when legal tampering officially began on Monday. But they’ve been pretty active since with some eye-catching additions that are sure to bring a tremendous amount to the organization in 2021.
The primary objective so far has been adding veteran players on defense who can make an immediate impression. Morgan Fox, Denzel Perryman, and Haason Reddick look to be shrewd moves by the Panthers without breaking the bank. So if they can bring in a few more good pieces before the 2021 NFL Draft, it will stand them in enormously good stead.
General manager Scott Fitterer declared he was willing to take a patient approach to the free-agent frenzy. However, few could envisage the level of activity we’ve seen so far in the current climate, which has altered initial plans considerably by the looks of it.
The second wave of free agency is almost upon us. This normally separates the great teams from the good and this year promises to be one like no other with so many established names on the market after COVID-19 revenue losses reduced the salary-cap by a whopping eight percent.
If the Panthers can nail this part of the recruitment period, then a postseason challenge won’t be far behind. There are obvious and lingering concerns about the quarterback position. But they will give themselves half a chance providing the right sort of players come into the fold.
With this in mind, here are four potential second wave free agents that should be on Carolina’s shortlist.
Player No. 1
Jermaine Eluemunor – OL
The Carolina Panthers took the surprising move to bring in Cam Erving and Pat Elflein to boost their offensive on the first day of legal tampering. To say both players have struggled during their careers would be something of an understatement and it would be worth them bringing in some additional reinforcements either from the free-agent market or the 2021 NFL Draft.
If they choose to go down the veteran route, then Jermaine Eluemunor should be an option worth considering. The versatile lineman can operate on the edge or as a guard – which is clearly something the Panthers are converting heavily in their recruits – and his production on a limited basis for the New England Patriots in 2020 earned the former Texas A&M star a 68.0 grade from Pro Football Focus.
Players like Eluemunor are probably just looking for another chance to stake a claim. But either way, it’s not going to cost the earth to acquire someone who has the scope to be a day one starter in Carolina.