5 bargain-basement free agents the Panthers must consider in 2022
By Dean Jones
Which bargain-basement free agents could the Carolina Panthers potentially target during a vital free agency period in 2022?
The Carolina Panthers freed up a significant amount of salary-cap space by restructuring Taylor Moton and Shaq Thompson’s contracts. This gives them an additional $16 million to spend in 2022, but they still need to be prudent with many holes to fill and $31 million available at the present time.
There is the option of further restructures to get this number up. Shaq Thompson and Christian McCaffrey could see their contracts altered for the second time in as many offseasons, but this appears less likely with Robby Anderson, who looks to be on the trade block based on multiple reports.
Outside of the obvious big names that could make an immediate impression, it’s important that the Panthers also find some diamonds in the rough to further assist their cause during a make-or-break upcoming campaign for head coach Matt Rhule. The head coach is entering the last chance saloon in terms of his job status and having the final say on personnel decisions piles even more pressure on the former Baylor man’s shoulders.
With this in mind, here are five bargain-basement free agents that the Panthers must consider in 2022.
Free Agent No. 1
Carolina Panthers must consider Elijah Wilkinson
The time has now arrived for the Carolina Panthers to prioritize their offensive line. This key positional group has been overlooked for far too long and after a complete capitulation in 2021, it’s essential for those in power to find the right pieces to put alongside stud tackle Taylor Moton on their protection.
Someone like Elijah Wilkinson could be a nice pickup at a minimal cost. The versatile lineman turned out in just 120 snaps for the Chicago Bears last season, but his production indicated there could be more to come with additional responsibility elsewhere.
Wilkinson has been a solid if not spectacular performer throughout his career after emerging quickly from an undrafted free agent to a productive depth chart contributor. Something the Panthers could do with in no uncertain terms.