6 inside linebackers the Carolina Panthers must consider in free agency
By Dean Jones
Carolina Panthers should consider Jarrad Davis
It was a frustrating season overall for Jarrad Davis in 2021 following his switch to the New York Jets. A promising start to the campaign was cut short due to injury, restricting the talented linebacker to just nine games – five of which he started.
This just wasn’t really a good fit, in all honesty. But it’s worth remembering Davis is a former first-round pick that could be available at a nice price for the Carolina Panthers if he was to test the free-agent market once again.
Davis spent the first four seasons of his career with the Detroit Lions and looked like a star in the making following a breakout campaign in 2018 – his second in the league – which resulted in 100 tackles, six sacks, 10 tackles for loss, and five passes defended. He is a solid asset against the run and holds his own in coverage – traits that could fit in well within Phil Snow’s defensive scheme.
There is still plenty of football left in Davis at just 27 years old. He also has enough in the way of experience to guide some younger players throughout what’s going to be a make-or-break season in Carolina.
If the Panthers decide to let Jermaine Carter go and take their chances on another veteran, Davis could be a cheap and profitable option providing his transition to a different environment goes according to plan.