5 early free agents on defense for the Panthers to target in 2022
By Dean Jones
Quandre Diggs – S
- 2021 team – Seattle Seahawks
As stated previously, the Carolina Panthers could have a need for a prolific safety if Juston Burris doesn’t live up to his end of the bargain next season. The team placed a tremendous amount of faith in him by deciding to release Tre Boston instead, but the former Cleveland Brown knows he’ll be on a short leash in 2021.
Quandre Diggs is set to hit the free-agent market next year and general manager Scott Fitterer knows plenty about the player from his time working at the Seattle Seahawks. He might be a little undersized for a normal safety at 5-foot-9, but he more than makes up for this with aggressiveness and impressive instincts to be around the ball consistently.
The Seahawks have a problem on their hands in 2022. Jamal Adams also needs paying and considering the sort of money he is set to command, it appears unlikely they’ll be willing to provide Diggs with the security he’s looking for unless the player agrees to take less and remain on the roster.
Diggs earned his first Pro Bowl appearance in Seattle last season, the first full campaign since his move from the Detroit Lions. If the former Texas Longhorn can raise his game further next time around, it will undoubtedly price the Seahawks out of a deal with Adams set to break records with his next contract.
Carolina might be willing to give Diggs what he wants. But they’re unlikely to be alone in that regard.