5 free-agent defensive linemen the Carolina Panthers could sign in 2023

Carolina Panthers could sign Javon Hargrave

The most unlikely option of the five names. But go big or go home.

Let’s imagine the Carolina Panthers take a huge swing and bring in a complete stud at the position. Javon Hargrave was part of the amazing Philadelphia Eagles defense that clinched the NFC Conference Championship and almost won a Super Bowl in 2022, which is exactly where Frank Reich wants to take this franchise.

Hargrave was drafted in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft and while he produced well on the Pittsburgh Steelers, his numbers didn’t stand out. After joining the Eagles in 2020, it was a different story after a somewhat quiet first season.

The defensive lineman has been dominant over the last two years. Hargrave has totaled a monstrous 123 total tackles and 18.5 sacks over this span, which is set to earn him a phenomenal payday in free agency.

Pairing Derrick Brown and Hargrave together on the defensive line is a truly mouth-watering prospect. But the chances are unfortunately slim.

One would imagine the Eagles would be keen to retain his services following a stellar 2022. Spotrac projects his contract at around $60 million over three years, which is likely to be out of the Panthers’ cap capability.

However, Hargrave does have a lot of links to the Carolinas, born in Salisbury, North Carolina just 25 miles northwest of Charlotte, he had a dominant college career at South Carolina State. Therefore, he’d no doubt welcome a return to familiar surroundings.