5 plug-and-play free agents the Panthers should consider in 2022

Carolina Panthers could sign Linval Joseph

Losing DaQuan Jones to the Buffalo Bills in free agency was a blow to the Carolina Panthers. His presence on the defensive line interior was a major asset alongside Derrick Brown last season and even though the team did pick up Matt Ioannidis following his release by the Washington Commanders, acquiring a space-eating veteran that can make an impact against the run might be another avenue those in power go down in the coming weeks.

The Panthers might be content to go with what they have. But their clear deficiencies when it came to preventing yards on the ground over the second half of 2021 cannot be ignored.

Although he is a little long in the tooth now, someone like Linval Joseph could be a two-down lineman option. He was still performing at a decent enough level for the Los Angeles Chargers in 2021, is a two-time Pro Bowler, and has also attained a Super Bowl throughout his 12-year career.

Putting Joseph next to Brown would clog things up on the interior and perhaps allow Ioannidis to seal the edge on running plays. In third-down and obvious pass-rushing situations, the mammoth presence could come out for players more capable of getting after the quarterback.

This makes a ton of sense, especially if Bravvion Roy and Daviyon Nixon don’t make the necessary adjustments. Whether Joseph wants to wait around for a contender is the big question.