5 free-agent bargains still available for the Panthers in 2022
By Dean Jones
Which free agents who could be available at bargain prices are still available for the Carolina Panthers ahead of the 2022 season?
Now that rookie minicamp is in the books, attention is quickly turning to the Carolina Panthers getting everyone together for the first time during their offseason workout program. Organized team activities will run from May 23 until June, with the team’s mandatory minicamp set for June 14-16 – another prominent date for the diary.
The Panthers have an abundance of talent after a strong period of recruitment. They lost some high-profile figures, but there is a sense of optimism providing everything comes together relatively quickly before competitive action gets underway.
This will be a fluid situation with plenty of roster turnover. Carolina also has around $25.75 million in salary-cap space to make any additional acquisitions if they feel it can benefit them in the short and potentially long term.
With this in mind, here are five free-agent bargains remaining on the market that could be of interest to the Panthers.
Free-Agent No. 1
Carolina Panthers could sign Greg Van Roten
Although the Carolina Panthers have secured some outstanding signings across their offensive line, adding to the depth chart with another quality piece wouldn’t exactly hurt. Especially considering how poorly those lower down the pecking order performed in 2021.
One name familiar with fans is now sitting on the free-agent market after the New York Jets released Greg Van Roten. The former Pennsylvania standout has the versatility to play either guard position and was a member of the Panthers from 2017-to-19 before the new regime took over.
Van Roten gave up three sacks and conceded two penalties from 700 snaps in 2022 en route to a creditable 68.1 grade from Pro Football Focus. So this would make a ton of sense if the price is right.