Do the Carolina Panthers need DL help?
Should we try to acquire some free agents like Ndamukong Suh to improve our defensive line and run defense? – Aaron
Thank you for your question, Aaron.
I don’t see a reason why the Carolina Panthers shouldn’t. However, their acquisition of free agent Henry Anderson seems like their “big” free agent signing during the off week heading into their season opener.
For right now, I don’t believe Scott Fitterer and Matt Rhule will pursue any free agents. If the run defense turns out to be an issue throughout the season, I could see a call made to Ndamukong Suh about bringing him in to assist.
Even so, I don’t know what Suh’s true status is as it pertains to whether he wants to continue playing or not and if a team wants to bring him in.
I think the Panthers will continue to roll with what they have on the defensive side of the ball. I think plenty of fans would love to see more of rookie Brandon Smith at linebacker to assist at the second level with their run discipline issues. Others would like to see Davyion Nixon elevated from the practice squad and rotating in to relieve the starters.
Derrick Brown is a player that needs to step up this season entering his third year as a former No. 7 overall selection in the 2020 NFL Draft. I think Phil Snow and Rhule would like to see him improve as the season goes along and finally put it together. Going up against Wyatt Teller was a tall task for him and he didn’t shine the brightest by any means.
If the Panthers were to pursue anyone to help against the run, it would have to be through a trade acquisition for cheap. Yet, there are still so many unknowns especially with the NFL just entering its second week of the regular season.
Thank you to everyone who sent their questions in for this week’s mailbag. We’ll be back next week for more burning questions following the Panthers’ Week 2 matchup against the New York Giants.