The Carolina Panthers needed to make significant changes across the board this offseason. This once-proud franchise has spent too long languishing among the bottom feeders under previous regimes. After descending into the NFL's worst team last season, Dan Morgan and Dave Canales had a monumental task awaiting them.
Morgan and Canales had a previous working relationship from their time together with the Seattle Seahawks. They also had an aligned vision regarding the Panthers. Some tough roster choices were made that not every fan agreed with, but it's clear they have the organization's best long-term interests at heart.
This was never going to be a quick fix. Morgan admitted he wasn't going to solve every ongoing complication in one offseason. Still, the front-office leader believes that there is enough to get the Panthers trending in a positive direction and back to competence with Canales' progressive thinking and unrivaled positivity leading the charge.
On this topic, here are three small moves made by the Panthers that could end up making a big difference in 2024.
Carolina Panthers re-signed Ihmir Smith-Marsette
Scott Fitterer didn't get many trades right during his unsuccessful spell as general manager. However, swapping late-round picks with the Kansas City Chiefs to secure the services of Ihmir Smith-Marsette was one of them.
The wide receiver was going to be among the Chiefs' final cuts before the Carolina Panthers jumped the queue. Smith-Marsette became a dynamic option in the kick return game right out of the gate. There was also a lot to like about his involvement in the offensive scheme down the stretch - something that Dave Canales can perhaps put to better use after Dan Morgan gave him a one-year extension worth $1.41 million.
This could be a tremendous piece of business for the Panthers. Smith-Marsette's ability to generate yards after the catch might come in handy if he impresses Canales enough throughout the summer. Thanks to the NFL's new kickoff rules, his exploits in this discipline can also leap forward with more favorable stipulations for the return team.
Smith-Marsette is fiercely determined and has always been confident he can play a bigger role if given the chance. Hopefully, this is the year everything clicks into place.
Carolina Panthers signed Jordan Fuller
Dan Morgan adopted a ruthless mentality to his roster building after the Carolina Panthers promoted him this offseason. He knew cutting ties with some established veterans was going to hinder his chances of short-term prosperity. That said, he felt it was worth the risk to put the franchise in a better financial position over the coming years.
The likes of Hayden Hurst and Bradley Bozeman were removed from the equation. Perhaps more surprising was Carolina's decision to release veteran safety Vonn Bell after just one season with the franchise.
Bell missed some time through injury, but his performances were decent enough. His leadership was another major boost to a defense that performed well in difficult circumstances under Ejiro Evero. Unfortunately for the player, it was not enough to secure an extended stay.
Things turned out pretty well for Bell, who returned to the Cincinnati Bengals. As for the Panthers? Morgan thought he could get better for cheaper with the signing of Jordan Fuller in free agency.
Fuller knows Evero's coaching demands from their time working together with the Los Angeles Rams. He's just turned 26 years old and bounced back in 2023 following some injury complications the season prior. At a cost of just $3.25 million against Carolina's salary cap, this could be a steal when it's all said and done.
The former sixth-round pick emerged quickly to carve out a role for himself with the Rams. Fuller boasts outstanding communication skills, has no trouble coming down to help in run support, and is decent enough in coverage on the backend. Slotting him next to Xavier Woods has the makings of a productive tandem.
There is plenty of incentive for Fuller to perform well in 2024. He's young enough to potentially get a long-term extension if he reaches or exceeds expectations. In this scenario, the defensive back would immediately become one of Morgan's best personnel moves of the offseason.
Carolina Panthers drafted Ja'Tavion Sanders
After another mundane season of production from the tight end room, Dan Morgan needed to find some solutions to this ongoing complication. There is no Greg Olsen to pick up the slack anymore. Although Dave Canales' scheme should help, improving personnel was another underrated need for the Carolina Panthers heading into the offseason.
Hayden Hurst was released after one uninspiring season cut short by a serious concussion. Canales and Morgan are both high on Tommy Tremble's promise to improve production with additional targets. Ian Thomas and Stephen Sullivan are still around, but they've been with the organization long enough to suggest something else was required.
This came when the Panthers selected Ja'Tavion Sanders at No. 101 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. The former Texas star was seen by many as a Day 2 selection but fell through the cracks. When the Panthers had first refusal on the prospect to kick off Day 3, it was an opportunity Morgan wasn't going to waste.
Sanders won't make much difference as a blocker initially. The Panthers have enough tight ends capable of doing this task. What they don't have is a genuine tight-end threat in the passing game - someone capable of being lined up anywhere and making a difference.
The fourth-round selection can help in this area immediately with a smooth transition. He's a slick route-runner with outstanding ball skills and body control. Sanders also possesses the elusiveness needed to become a threat after the catch, so it would be surprising to see him become an afterthought in Canales' scheme in 2024.
Expecting miracles from Sanders right away would be foolish. But if he can develop a rapport with quarterback Bryce Young and generate some early momentum, he might end up being a surprise most teams don't see coming.
Regardless of whether it's Sanders or someone else, the tight end room needs to up their game. Otherwise, more changes could be on the horizon in 2025.