5 early cap casualties the Carolina Panthers could target in 2023
By Dean Jones
Carolina Panthers could target John Johnson III
In one of the most shocking early releases so far, the Cleveland Browns and talented safety John Johnson III went their separate ways. Something that’s likely to put the Carolina Panthers among the leading contenders to secure his services in free agency.
This makes a ton of sense on multiple fronts. Carolina needs assistance on the backend – especially if they plan to move Jeremy Chinn around to maximize his explosive skills within Ejiro Evero’s creative system.
Johnson is also familiar with Evero. The two worked closely together on the Los Angeles Rams, which would make the transition to the Panthers go off without a hitch in this scenario.
The former third-round pick out of Northwestern has gone over 100 tackles three times in six years. Johnson is also assured in coverage situations, giving up 55.1 percent of targets and an 82.8 passer rating with the Browns in 2022.
As stated previously, Carolina needs significant reinforcements across their secondary considering the demands on this area of the field in Evero’s defensive scheme. Johnson ticks all the boxes and if the money is right, this would be a superb bit of business by the Panthers when one factors everything into the equation.