5 free agents that could help the Carolina Panthers after Week 3
By Dean Jones
Which free agents currently sitting on the market could help the Carolina Panthers for their remaining 14 games of the 2021 season?
We now have a good sample size of what the Carolina Panthers are all about. It’s been another dramatic start to the 2021 season for Matt Rhule’s men, who currently boast a 3-0 record following their Thursday Night Football triumph at the Houston Texans in front of another bumper national audience.
More is expected of the Panthers this season – the second under head coach Matt Rhule. But as expected, there has been a mixture of encouragement and concern in almost equal measure over the first three weeks.
That being said, Carolina has shown signs of life and a postseason berth might not be entirely out of the question. The Panthers also have $20.77 million in salary-cap space remaining should they wish to strengthen their options with someone remaining on the free-agent market that could provide immediate assistance.
With this in mind, here are five players who could be of interest if the Panthers choose to go in this particular direction with longer to prepare for their Week 4 game at the Dallas Cowboys.
Free Agent No. 1
David DeCastro – OG
Much will depend on the health of David DeCastro, but the Carolina Panthers could do far worse than making an inquiry to see how his ankle injury is healing and whether he’s interested in playing this season.
DeCastro left his future up in the air following the lineman’s release by the Pittsburgh Steelers. The former first-round pick has enjoyed a standout career and might come to the conclusion that the juice is not worth the squeeze anymore.
Carolina’s problems in pass protection on the interior have been there for all to see over the first three games. So if they don’t want to rely on their rookies, signing someone like DeCastro is a must.