5 free agents the Carolina Panthers should bring in for training camp

K.J. Wright – LB

• 2020 team – Seattle Seahawks

Getting better within the linebacker corps is going to be essential for the Carolina Panthers next season. The retirement of Luke Kuechly was sorely felt by the organization despite the outstanding play of rookie sensation Jeremy Chinn, but with the Southern Illinois product moving to the backend it’s up to the trio of Denzel Perryman, Shaq Thompson, and Jermaine Carter to fill the void.

This was a positional group that was overlooked during the draft, which was a surprise considering the team managed to accumulate 11 selections throughout the weekend. Much will depend on the finances involved, but K.J. Wright represents one of the best remaining options on the free-agent market and someone who is no stranger to general manager Scott Fitterer.

The pair worked together at the Seattle Seahawks in recent years, where Fitterer was director of college scouting when the team picked Wright at No. 99 overall in 2011. This selection was worth its weight in gold, with the Pro Bowler winning a Super Bowl and enjoying a fantastic 10-year career with the organization before they parted ways this offseason.

Wright could be exactly what the Panthers are looking for. He communicates well on the field, is athletic, physical, and seems to have something left in the tank despite entering the twilight of his career.

Making a call to inquire about Wright’s plans is the least Fitterer should do knowing full well what he could bring to a young and improving defense.