What replacements could the Carolina Panthers target if they decide to cut ties with linebacker Damien Wilson following his recent arrest?
An eventful offseason period for the Carolina Panthers took another concerning turn late on Monday evening. According to the Dallas Morning News, recently signed linebacker Damien Wilson was arrested after his girlfriend accused the player of threatening to kill her with a tire iron and destroying her laptop.
The publication also suggested Wilson could be facing a further charge of “assault with bodily injury of a family member“, something his attorney Tony Shook denies.
"“Damien Wilson did not commit any type of assault. We look forward to all the facts coming out so his name can be cleared.”"
This is the second Panthers player to be arrested in recent weeks. Shi Smith was pulled over in March and charged with “unlawfully carrying a handgun, drug possession and speeding“, not exactly smooth preparation as team activities officially began on the same day of Wilson’s arrest coming into the public eye.
Carolina now has a decision to make regarding Wilson, who signed for the Panthers in free agency from the Jacksonville Jaguars. He was expected to start at middle linebacker – the team’s third option in as many seasons since Luke Kuechly retired – but this latest development has cast doubt on his future in no uncertain terms.
If the Panthers end up cutting ties with Wilson due to this arrest, here are five potential linebackers that could replace him.
Carolina Panthers could promote Cory Littleton
This could end up being a real blow for the Carolina Panthers if they do end up releasing Damien Wilson without so much as a training camp practice to show from his time with the franchise. However, they might use this opportunity to promote another recently signed free agent into a more prominent spot in the lineup.
Cory Littleton was brought in on the cheap in free agency to bolster depth. The former Pro Bowler spent the last two seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders and has enough in his locker to suggest a solid scheme fit in Phil Snow’s system providing his transition to a different environment goes according to plan.
Littleton has superb instincts that came with 495 tackles over his six-year career. He can rush the passer when required and also excels in coverage to further enhance his overall influence.
It was a down year for Littleton in 2021. The Washington product didn’t factor all that much in run support and his 47.8 grade from Pro Football Focus further reflects just how much he struggled overall.
This would be a gamble by the Panthers if they did release Wilson. But it might also be the opportunity Littleton needs to get his career back on track.
Carolina Panthers could sign Dont’a Hightower
Acquiring another veteran from the free-agent market could be a short-term option if the Carolina Panthers are concerned enough about Damien Wilson’s arrest to release the player. This would be the smart way to go considering what’s at stake for the team and head coach Matt Rhule next time around.
Fortunately for the Panthers, there are still some highly experienced names looking for employment that could be interested. Dont’a Hightower jumps out as someone that could make his presence felt on the field and provide veteran leadership within Carolina’s locker room at a time when it’ll be needed most.
The former first-round pick out of Alabama has spent his entire nine-year career with the New England Patriots. Hightower is a two-time Pro Bowler and has three Super Bowl rings to his name – production and results that would command instant respect in Carolina.
Whether this is something that Hightower would consider at this stage of his playing days is uncertain. It would be a chance to come in and start right away, which would help, but he might be willing to wait around for a better opportunity on a contender following the 2022 NFL Draft.
As options go, this might be the best one available. Something the Panthers should think long and hard about if Wilson is let go.
Carolina Panthers could draft Chad Muma
In light of these recent allegations surrounding Damien Wilson, the Carolina Panthers’ needs might alter slightly during the 2022 NFL Draft if they decide to part ways with the former Super Bowl winner.
Not having a Day 2 pick this year will obviously make things more complicated if the Panthers wanted to take a top prospect from the draft. Although if the right trade up or down the board becomes realistic, then general manager Scott Fitterer will have no hesitation in pulling the trigger.
One potential option that could come under consideration is Chad Muma. The Wyoming product took his game to completely new heights in 2021, attaining 142 tackles, eight tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and three interceptions during an exceptional campaign that made many NFL scouts sit up and take notice.
Muma is a dominant sideline-to-sideline presence that displayed his physical traits to full effect at the 2022 Senior Bowl and NFL Scouting Combine. He is an intelligent second-level presence that thrives on running downs with relentless pursuit and real conviction from a tackling standpoint.
Providing he can raise his game when the competition gets much tougher, then this is a real player. The problem Carolina has is that Muma is expected to be taken in the second or early third round, which means a move needs to be made in this scenario.
Carolina Panthers could sign A.J. Johnson
Whether Damien Wilson remains on the Carolina Panthers or not is undecided. However, those in power should be forming a contingency plan in place if the information they receive results in the player’s early release.
Providing there are no complications from a serious pectoral injury that placed A.J. Johnson on season-ending injured/reserve in Week 6, then he seems to have a lot of nice traits that could assist the Panthers in the short and potentially long-term.
Johnson rose from an undrafted free agent with the Denver Broncos into a starting role, gaining 124 tackles in 2021 to take his tally to 249 tackles in 38 professional games. His production also resulted in an impressive 81.0 grade from Pro Football Focus last time around before his campaign was cut short.
Everything would need to check out on the health front where Johnson is concerned. But his size, length, and physicality could be of tremendous use if Wilson is let go.
This also represents a great landing spot for the Tennessee product to get his career back on track. Injuries are all part of life in the NFL, so Johnson will be eager to bounce back at the earliest opportunity and something Carolina might be able to provide.
Carolina Panthers could draft Brian Asamoah
As stated previously, going down the draft route could be an option for the Carolina Panthers if they decide to remove Damien Wilson from the equation following his arrest. Much will depend on how the organization perceives the information accumulated, but early signs indicate this could be a realistic proposition when push comes to shove.
Taking one at No. 6 overall is unlikely considering Carolina’s needs at quarterback and the left tackle position. But there could be some real value to be had in the mid-rounds depending on how things play out.
Brian Asamoah is a possibility for the Panthers. One that they might not have to move up into Day 2 for with any luck.
The Oklahoma product is a general on the field and plays with aggressiveness and physicality in equal measure. Asamoah tackles well and has enough closing speed to suggest he could become a productive NFL starter with a little more development.
If Asamoah can improve his strength and become a better pass-rusher when the situation dictates, then he is well worth considering by the Panthers. Wilson’s situation is a problem they simply don’t need, so it will be interesting to see how this predicament is handled by those in power.