4 free agents the Carolina Panthers should target post-draft
By Dean Jones
Malik Hooker – S
- 2020 team – Indianapolis Colts
One area where the Carolina Panthers surprisingly did not address during the 2021 NFL Draft was their options at safety. The team released Tre Boston this offseason and although moving Jeremy Chinn to the backend seems like a given at this point, there are still some doubts as to whether Juston Burris can perform well enough not to become a weak link.
There is a lot to like about Carolina’s defense next season. They made some encouraging strides in 2020 after some early complications and some shrewd additions during free agency and the draft could see Phil Snow’s unit become one of the league’s most explosive.
However, if Burris doesn’t progress along with the group, then the Panthers are going to have a problem. This could be rectified by exploring the free-agent market for a bargain basement deal with someone with a ton of upside and if this is a route they choose to go down, Malik Hooker would be high on the shortlist.
Although Hooker had more than his fair share of injury problems with the Indianapolis Colts, his talent is undeniable. The former No. 15 overall selection in 2015 managed just two games in 2020 but if he is back to full health, the Ohio State product is well worth a gamble if the price is right.
Putting Hooker and Chinn together would instill far more confidence than if Burris was the starting partner for the stud rookie next season.