Which free-agent safeties could the Carolina Panthers potentially target if they hit the market in 2023?
There remains some fierce debate among Carolina Panthers fans about where Jeremy Chinn is best suited. The do-it-all defender has the physical attributes to thrive almost anywhere, but many anticipate a move closer to the line of scrimmage is coming under new defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero.
Chinn was a highly accomplished outside linebacker as a rookie before switching to the backend. If Evero wants to bring the best out of the former second-round pick in a contract year, it’s something he won’t hesitate to implement.
This obviously leaves Carolina short of reliable safety options. Especially if Evero wants to deploy plenty of nickel packages as part of his creative 3-4 base scheme during his first season with the Panthers.
With this in mind, here are four free-agent safeties the Panthers could potentially target in 2023.
Safety No. 1
Carolina Panthers could sign Julian Love
After coming of age for the New York Giants in 2022, the market for Julian Love would be robust if he hit the market. His production took a notable leap forward under Wink Martindale at just the right time, which should see a decent payday coming his way this spring.
Love racked up 124 tackles last season and looked assured in coverage. Much will depend on the money involved, but he seems like a decent scheme fit for the Carolina Panthers and someone that could fit into Ejiro Evero’s plans seamlessly.
Carolina Panthers could sign Jessie Bates III
It doesn’t take a genius to figure out who the marquee safety will be if he does test the market. Jessie Bates III continues to cement his status as one of the league’s best at the position and with no new contract yet confirmed with the Cincinnati Bengals, a move away gets increasingly likely with the legal tampering period looming large.
Bates played on the franchise tag last season and once again excelled as the Bengals tightened their stranglehold on the AFC North. However, the likes of quarterback Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase are due their megadeals soon, so there might not be enough spare resources to keep the prolific defensive back around.
This should put the Carolina Panthers are others around the league on red alert. Bates would be an immediate upgrade on anything Ejiro Evero has at his disposal – including Jeremy Chinn – so there’s just no telling what his presence could do for this defense in 2023 and beyond.
Signing someone with Bates’ credentials entering his prime won’t be cheap. Spotrac projects the former second-round selection to command an annual salary of $14 million on a four-year, $56.26 million deal, which is a decent chunk of change Carolina doesn’t possess until further sacrifices are made.
It does appear unrealistic on multiple fronts. But if general manager Scott Fitterer is known for anything, it’s shooting his shot and being in on every deal.
Carolina Panthers could sign Taylor Rapp
If Ejiro Evero wants to hit the ground running as Carolina Panthers’ defensive coordinator, he must get everyone on the same page within his new system. This is the biggest stumbling block that could prevent legitimate strides from being made in 2022.
Perhaps this could lead Evero and the Panthers into picking up players who are already familiar with his demands. Although there is enough athleticism and versatility across Carolina’s defensive options to keep complications to a minimum during the transition.
If this scenario comes to fruition, then Taylor Rapp is someone to monitor. The hard-hitting safety spent time working alongside Evero on the Los Angeles Rams and has enough solid production under his belt to ensure a large role could be in the offing if Jeremy Chinn gets the freedom to roam the field depending on specific situations.
Rapp has 330 tackles to his name in just four seasons, so he knows how to get around the football consistently. Something that Evero values highly at all three levels on defense.
The Rams might not have enough in the way of spare finances to give Rapp the contract he’s looking for. But much will also depend on how Evero perceived the player and his fit within Carolina’s current options.
Carolina Panthers could sign Terrell Edmunds
Another potential option for the Carolina Panthers that ticks all the boxes in terms of scheme fit is Terrell Edmunds. The defensive back was a first-round selection and boasts five years of starting experience, but whether he’s done enough to warrant a bigger commitment from the Pittsburgh Steelers is the million-dollar question nobody knows the answer to right now.
Letting Edmunds walk would be a gamble on Pittsbirgh’s part. They also have a strong record of looking after their own if they prove themselves, which is exactly what the former Virgina Tech standout has done over a prolonged period of time.
There are some deficiencies in coverage which would be a concern. But Edmunds is fast, explosive, and can be used almost anywhere depending on the circumstance at the time.
This is a nice tool to have. Especially considering how useful Edmunds is on blitz packages.
While he isn’t the most physically imposing, there’s plenty to like about his aggression and ability to stop running in their tracks with an outstanding tackling technique. This does the job more often than not.
Much like most decisions facing the Panthers this offseason, money will play a huge part. But this would be a quality addition to Ejiro Evero’s defense as the coordinator looks to convince another team to make him an NFL head coach in 2024.