5 free agents the Carolina Panthers should aggressively pursue in 2022
By Dean Jones
Terron Armstead – OT
- 2021 team: New Orleans Saints
- 2021 cap hit: $13 million
The Carolina Panthers are finally giving Brady Christensen extended reps as a left tackle, which should have happened much sooner given the third-round pick’s production so far. That being said, it’s evident Matt Rhule and his staff see the BYU product as an interior presence long-term so finding a franchise blindside protector should be a top priority this offseason.
There should be an abundance of options available from a deep draft class of offensive linemen at the top end. But if the Panthers want to make a huge splash in free agency, they should look no further than Terron Armstead.
Things are about to get extremely complicated for the New Orleans Saints, who are projected to be an astonishing $62.5 million over the cap in 2022. This might make things difficult when it comes to offering Armstead the contract he’s deserving of, which will put most of the NFL on red alert.
Armstead is one of the league’s best at the position when healthy. The former third-round pick has had some injury problems to contend with this season, but from a production standpoint, it’s been another exceptional year overall.
The Arkansas-Pine Bluff product is a three-time Pro Bowler and has given up one sack from 468 snaps in 2021 to secure an outstanding 76.6 grade from Pro Football Focus. Snagging Armstead from an NFC South rival would be a major coup for the Panthers, but whether the veteran would be interested is another matter.