5 defensive ends the Carolina Panthers should target in 2022 free agency
By Luke Gray
Carolina Panthers should target Akiem Hicks
- 2021 salary – $12 million
- Spotrac protected contract – 2 yrs, $11.1M, annual salary $5.5M
If the Carolina Panthers want a veteran presence to pair with their young star Brian Burns, Akiem Hicks is someone who should be under consideration. The former Pro Bowler is exactly the big body that general manager Scott Fitterer wants to have on board to seal the edge and could be available providing the Chicago Bears don’t keep him around.
California native Hicks is listed at 6-foot-4 and 335 pounds. Someone perfect to help stop the run – something which the Panthers struggled to do in 2021.
Hicks has been a solid performer in the league, starting every game he’s played since 2016. This is no mean feat for a player at the position and another positive working in his favor if the veteran hits free agency.
At 32 years old, Hicks is a good option put alongside Burns. He could also be a much cheaper option than the aforementioned Haason Reddick, commanding a projected $5.5 million per season, which is a significantly smaller cap hit.
The only blot of the record of Hicks is his injury record. The former New Orleans Saint hasn’t played a full 16 games since 2018 and turned out just nine times last season.
However, with high risk normally comes high reward. If Hicks proves his fitness and can still perform to a high standard, this could be a good bit of business by the Panthers.