5 potential cap casualties the Panthers should target post-camp

Jordan Hicks – LB

• 2021 team – Arizona Cardinals

It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that Jordan Hicks and the Arizona Cardinals will be going their separate ways before the 2021 season. The linebacker has been told in no uncertain terms he isn’t part of the team’s plans following their decision to draft Zaven Collins in the first round, giving them a potentially dynamic second-level duo if Isaiah Simmons makes a huge sophomore leap.

This came as a shock to both Hicks and others across the league. He’s been a solid contributor, providing consistent production and strong communication during his two years in Arizona.

Releasing Hicks would save the Cardinals $941,176 and cost them $5 million in dead cap money. But the simple fact is the organization already dealt their hand and other teams aren’t going to part ways with a draft pick when they know he might be released after training camp.

The Carolina Panthers could use someone like Hicks. They don’t have much in the way of depth within their linebacker corps, with the player’s ability to slot on the outside or as an interior defender something else the coaching staff loves in their recruits.

Carolina has already suffered a couple of injury problems to Shaq Thompson and Denzel Perryman at training camp. Although neither will be out for long, it did put a red flag on their backup options in the event this happens during the regular season.