5 Super Bowl free agents the Carolina Panthers should watch closely

Carolina Panthers should watch Travin Howard – OLB

Finding some extra help at the second level would be a shrewd move by the Carolina Panthers in free agency. Should either Haason Reddick or Frankie Luvu take their chances elsewhere, then it becomes an even greater need.

With money extremely tight unless sacrifices are made, then the Panthers need to be prudent and find the right pieces that can come in and make their presence felt right out of the gate. Someone like Travin Howard could be a potential option at the right price, with the player emerging encouragingly to help the Los Angeles Rams reach the Super Bowl on home soil.

Howard deserves all the credit in the world for rising from a seventh-round pick out of TCU via Ohio State to an important member of the defensive rotation. His production has resulted in an encouraging 69.8 grade from Pro Football Focus and there is every chance he can get better with additional responsibility on his shoulders.

Given how athletic Howard is, he could play anywhere across the linebacker unit. The Panthers have struggled to find a long-term successor to Luke Kuechly over the last two years, so if the Rams star did make the move, it could be a solid option that gives defensive coordinator Phil Snow multiple possibilities.

Someone will make Howard an offer if Los Angeles doesn’t. And at least from the outside looking in, he makes a ton of sense for the Panthers.