Which affordable free agents could the Carolina Panthers target in 2024 as the new regime looks to make the best out of minimal resources?
The Carolina Panthers are about to navigate a pivotal period of recruitment. Those in power are currently busy trimming the fat to put themselves in a better long-term position. It's going to take time, so nobody should be expecting miracles right away.
After the Panthers placed the franchise tag on Brian Burns, they have just over $13 million in salary-cap space available. Contract restructures and further releases could see this increase, but the new regime must be prudent with the resources available to avoid any unnecessary complications down the road.
This is the mess Dan Morgan and Brandt Tilis inherited - something made worse by the fact Carolina doesn't have the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft as part of their trade-up for quarterback Bryce Young. It's all about damage limitation currently. A more collaborative approach and renewed purpose could also lead to a shrewder decision-making process.
With this in mind, here are four affordable free agents the Panthers could sign in 2024.
Carolina Panthers could sign Ezra Cleveland
Looking at the reports surfacing from respected beat writers such as Joe Person of The Athletic, the Carolina Panthers will be looking to fortify their offensive line in free agency. This bears more significance on the interior, which is similar to how the New Orleans Saints went about protecting their shorter-than-average quarterback - Drew Brees - with great success during his glittering career.
Finding more athleticism at a cost that fits the organization would be preferred. This is also a deep draft class for offensive linemen that the Panthers should take advantage of. Someone like Ezra Cleveland could be a cost-effective veteran worth considering before that.
Cleveland was a second-round pick by the Minnesota Vikings before spending last season on the Jacksonville Jaguars. He was solid last season, giving up three sacks from 749 snaps. It might not be the most spectacular signing, but the Panthers aren't exactly in a position to splash the cash on more prominent free agents.
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Carolina Panthers could sign Donovan Peoples-Jones
It's no secret that the Carolina Panthers will prioritize surrounding quarterback Bryce Young with better weapons this offseason. Jonathan Mingo and perhaps Adam Thielen are the only two wide receivers worth keeping from an underwhelming group in 2023. And in the veteran Pro Bowler's case, he might ask those in power to move him on in pursuit of spending his final seasons on a contending team.
Identifying one or two options from an immensely deep draft class is almost certain, although the Panthers don't have their first-round pick to call upon. While the likes of Calvin Ridley might be out of Carolina's price range in free agency, taking a gamble on someone like Donovan Peoples-Jones could be worth its weight in gold.
Peoples-Jones looked like a potential star once upon a time. The former sixth-round pick brought in 61 receptions for 838 receiving yards and three touchdowns with the Cleveland Browns in 2022. He was unable to build on this positive momentum last time around, which also saw him traded to the Detroit Lions.
Unfortunately for the wideout, he found life difficult carving out a role for himself within Ben Johnson's scheme. It's never easy to integrate quickly following an in-season trade - especially considering how well the Lions were playing - so giving him a pass and picking the 6-foot-2 player up on a team-friendly deal comes with obvious rewards attached if his transition into Dave Canales' offense goes smoothly.
Carolina Panthers could sign Damien Lewis
As previously stated, the Carolina Panthers are expected to make offensive line adjustments throughout the offseason. Money is tight - especially if no long-term deal is worked out with Brian Burns and linebacker Frankie Luvu is extended. This franchise is also seen as an unattractive destination after descending into the NFL's laughingstock under David Tepper's ownership.
The task awaiting Carolina's new decision-makers cannot be overstated. That's why going back to some former players they've worked with before might be a good place to start.
Damien Lewis worked under head coach Dave Canales during their time together on the Seattle Seahawks. He's experienced in the wide-zone blocking concepts the offensive mind plans to deploy in Carolina. There's also a level of familiarity between the two that should help the veteran hit the ground running.
The former third-round pick played 926 snaps on offense for the Seahawks in 2023, giving up four penalties and conceding three sacks en route to a modest 59.6 grade from Pro Football Focus. Lewis is also an asset when it comes to run blocking, something the Panthers desperately need if they want to make things easier for Bryce Young.
Lewis wouldn't command eye-popping money, one suspects. Hopefully, his previous connection to Canales would help tip the scales in Carolina's favor if they identified him as a player of interest.
Carolina Panthers could sign Kristian Fulton
The Carolina Panthers are reportedly looking to trade or release Donte Jackson before his $4 million roster bonus is due. This ends the cornerback's rollercoaster six-year association with the organization and further depletes a cornerback room in desperate need of reinforcements.
This need becomes more glaring if the Panthers decide not to extend C.J. Henderson or Troy Hill. Only Jaycee Horn should be slotted in as a starter right now, and we all know about his dependability issues on the health front since he was drafted No. 8 overall in 2021.
Kristian Fulton also comes with his fair share of injury concerns, but few would doubt the defensive back's credentials when fit and firing on all cylinders. Considering how things went with the Tennessee Titans last season - albeit with mitigating circumstances attached - he might be available at a below-market value depending on what interest he receives from elsewhere.
If those in power brush off Fulton's inconsistent 2023 campaign off as a blip rather than something more concerning, he might be a worthy option to place alongside Horn. More will be needed, but having someone with this experience and still just 25 years old wouldn't be the worst idea in the world.
It'll be interesting to see how Carolina goes about its business in free agency. Dan Morgan and his staff have a lot on their plate. How they overcome some severe hurdles will tell us plenty about the franchise's short and long-term ambitions.