5 free agents that could let the Panthers draft best player available in 2022

Carolina Panthers could sign Justin Houston

After losing Haason Reddick to the Philadelphia Eagles in free agency, the Carolina Panthers could also be on the lookout for another pass-rusher to further boost their options. Yetur Gross-Matos could be set for a breakout campaign with more reps and the same can be said for Marquis Haynes after he secured a well-deserved extension, which would be extremely welcome under the circumstances.

There doesn’t appear to be much else on the depth chart opposite Brian Burns. So unless the Panthers get lucky with a prospect in the mid-rounds, finding a veteran with proven high production could be a smart way to go considering what’s at stake for head coach Matt Rhule in 2022.

Justin Houston might be a little long in the tooth now, but he could play a part on a rotational basis and provide the likes of Burns, Gross-Matos, Haynes, and even Darryl Johnson with an experienced figure to further assist with their development.

Houston can operate as a defensive end or an outside linebacker and has enjoyed a phenomenal career resulting in 102 sacks and 165 quarterback hits over an 11-year period. He still showed something for the Baltimore Ravens in 2021 en route to 4.5 sacks and 17 hits on the opposing signal-caller, but this would obviously depend on whether the Georgia product wants to wait until a contender comes calling.

Signing Houston would allow the Panthers to focus on other areas. Something that they might end up doing even without another body coming on board beforehand.