5 free agents the Carolina Panthers should aggressively pursue in 2022
By Dean Jones
Connor Williams – OG
- 2021 team: Dallas Cowboys
- 2021 cap hit: $1.37 million
If you’re sensing a theme so far, it’s because the Carolina Panthers offensive line is just that bad. A complete mess that the team’s brought on by gambling on underperforming players like Cam Erving who were never going to be anything remotely close to good enough.
Despite the pass-happy nature of the NFL these days, games are still won and lost in the trenches. This is the hallmark of almost every team with a legitimate chance of winning the Super Bowl and at least on offense, Carolina is way short of what’s required in this critical area of the field.
Getting a college prospect or two won’t hurt. But the Panthers also need to acquire a capable free agent that can make an immediate difference.
Connor Williams has been in tremendous form for the Dallas Cowboys in 2021. Although there are some discipline concerns in terms of penalties, his ability to pass protect and create substantial running lanes has been eye-catching, to say the least.
The Cowboys are $13.2 million over the cap for 2022 currently. But team owner and general manager Jerry Jones is sure to get that down by making sacrifices and sorting restructures elsewhere.
Although keeping Williams will be difficult, it’s not impossible. And there is always the franchise tag to consider if all else fails.
Should the former second-round pick hit the free-agent market, then the Panthers should be in front of the queue depending on what the player is asking.