5 bargain-basement free agents the Panthers must consider in 2022
By Dean Jones
Carolina Panthers must consider Rashaan Evans
Acquiring a middle linebacker capable of providing some semblance of consistency would be beneficial for the Carolina Panthers this offseason. The shock retirement of Luke Kuechly left a gaping hole that the team is finding difficult to fill, although asking anybody to replicate the potential Pro Football Hall of Famer’s production is an impossible task.
There might never be another Kuechly. Far from it, actually.
But there are a number of free agents set to hit the market this year who could give the Panthers an upgrade over pending free-agent Jermaine Carter if the money is right.
Things didn’t go quite according to plan for Rashaan Evans in 2021. But it’s worth remembering he is a former first-round pick that’s accumulated 317 tackles in just 50 starts throughout his career so far.
The Alabama product didn’t get his fifth-year option picked up and it remains to be seen whether the Tennessee Titans move on entirely. Evans has proven production outside of his efforts last season and might not cost the earth if Carolina went in this direction.
Evans is assured against the run, communicates well at the second level, and can also assist in coverage. Traits that have been sorely lacking since Kuechly opted to hang up his cleats for health reasons.