Ranking the nine best signings from what quickly became a dramatic 2024 off-season period for the Carolina Panthers under new general manager Dan Morgan.
Nobody expected the Carolina Panthers to be inactive when free agency began. They didn't have much financial wiggle room to make moves, but Dan Morgan and Brandt Tilis navigated a difficult situation extremely well as part of their major roster overhaul.
The Panthers were coming off one of the worst seasons in franchise history. It was a complete embarrassment, so a completely different approach to roster construction was needed after significant cracks began to show throughout the Matt Rhule and Scott Fitterer years. It's a small sample size, but the early signs are positive.
We took a look at Carolina's free-agent acquisitions and ranked the nine best. This criteria was based on the contract attached and their expected impact on the team in 2024. Hopefully, Morgan has found the right pieces that fit his ambitions to restore the proud culture those in power previously evaporated.
Let's get to it…
9. Yosh Nijman - Carolina Panthers OT
The Carolina Panthers needed to find better depth along their offensive line. This became exposed in no uncertain terms last season, leaving quarterback Bryce Young in harm's way as the No. 1 overall selection went through some significant complications in Year 1 of his professional career.
Dan Morgan managed to secure the services of Yosh Nijman from the Green Bay Packers in free agency. The experienced tackle is a solid swing option who could step in at a moment's notice if either Ikem Ekwonu or Taylor Moton go down through injury. It also raises the bar in terms of competition, which should increase effort and performance levels across the board.
Considering the high stakes surrounding Ekwonu after his sophomore NFL campaign, acquiring a decent insurance policy such as Nijman was a shrewd move by the front office.
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8. Josey Jewell - Carolina Panthers LB
The Carolina Panthers' defense was decimated this offseason. This is something Dan Morgan deemed as a necessary sacrifice in pursuit of better fortunes for quarterback Bryce Young. Whether it pays off or not is another matter.
Frankie Luvu departed for the Washington Commanders in free agency. Ejiro Evero turned to someone he knows well as a potential replacement, signing Josey Jewell to fill the void. The pair worked closely together on the Denver Broncos, so the transition into a different environment should go smoothly when preparations for the 2024 campaign gather pace.
Jewell is a solid presence against the run who's gone over 100 tackles in three of his six NFL seasons. He's got enough instincts to be around the football consistently and boasts the tackling technique capable of stopping oncoming runners in their tracks.
Some deficiencies in coverage cannot be overlooked. But this looks like a cost-effective pickup to go alongside Shaq Thompson, who is returning from a broken fibula that restricted him to two games.
7. D.J. Wonnum - Carolina Panthers OLB
Trading Brian Burns to the New York Giants - coupled with the losses of Frankie Luvu and Yetur Gross-Matos - left the Carolina Panthers with almost no pass-rushing options whatsoever. This is something those in power rectified by picking up D.J. Wonnum in free agency.
Wonnum emerged into a capable edge presence during his four years with the Minnesota Vikings. He's coming off a torn quad - which is slightly concerning - but the former South Carolina college standout has the explosiveness and speed-to-power moves that could be of use.
Another red flag centers on how much Wonnum's numbers were inflated thanks to the presence of Danielle Hunter on the opposite side of Minnesota's blitz-heavy 3-4 defensive front. He got a lot of one-on-one looks, which might not be the case in Carolina thanks to their lack of legitimate pass-rushing options currently on the roster.
This does come with potential, but tempering expectations would be the smart way to go until further notice.
6. Dane Jackson - Carolina Panthers CB
Donte Jackson and C.J. Henderson took their chances elsewhere via trade and through free agency. The Carolina Panthers re-signed Troy Hill to a one-year deal, but it wasn't hard to see why cornerback quickly emerged into a pressing need.
General manager Dan Morgan turned to someone he knew from their time together on the Buffalo Bills. Dane Jackson came into the fold on a two-year, $8.5 million agreement. This was seen as a rotational piece and nothing more among most fans, but the front-office leader is reportedly higher on the defensive back than most.
The former seventh-round selection didn't excel last season, giving up 74.3 percent of his targets and a 109.6 passer rating when targeted. Perhaps more concerning was his eight missed tackles - something that equated to 17% of his attempts.
Jackson should be highly motivated to prove his increasing doubters wrong in a different environment. If this move also got Ejiro Evero's seal of approval, there needs to be another level of trust attached.
5. Jordan Fuller - Carolina Panthers S
Vonn Bell was one of many established stars cut loose as part of Dan Morgan and Brandt Tilis' attempts to preserve future financial flexibility. The Panthers were willing to rip the band-aid off now, which was an understandable approach when one considers how much the team struggled overall in 2023.
The Panthers once again turned to someone defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero trusts and whom he'd worked with previously. Jordan Fuller joined in free agency from the Los Angeles Rams on a one-year, $3.25 million deal. This could be an absolute steal when it's all said and done.
Fuller's been highly consistent over his first four seasons in the league. He's a willing contributor closer to the line of scrimmage, can assist in coverage on the backend, and has also developed some outstanding communication capabilities to further enhance his influence.
Slotting Fuller next to Xavier Woods gives the Panthers a productive safety tandem. Something that is desperately needed with so many changes across Evero's defense this offseason.
4. Damien Lewis - Carolina Panthers OL
The Carolina Panthers made improving the protection in front of quarterback Bryce Young their top priority when the free-agent frenzy commenced. Damien Lewis was one of two high-profile arrivals to upgrade the offensive guard positions. This is also another player connected to the coaching staff to ensure there won't be any awkward integration.
Lewis and head coach Dave Canales worked together on the Seattle Seahawks, so this came with an extra seal of approval attached. The former third-round pick signed a four-year, $53 million deal and looks set to provide a level of physicality that was sorely lacking during the previous campaign.
He is dependable and a significant asset on running downs thanks to his aggressive approach and brute force. Lewis does struggle on occasion in pass protection, but he's an immediate upgrade on anything Carolina churned out on the interior in 2023.
Providing there are no complications on the health front, Lewis will be a significant asset to the Panthers. One that could help Young's potential for a bounce-back campaign enormously.
3. A'Shawn Robinson - Carolina Panthers DL
Derrick Brown enjoyed a phenomenal campaign in 2023 and was rightfully rewarded with a lucrative contract extension. That said, everyone else along the defensive front didn't exactly cover themselves in glory. Carolina's defense performed well, but solidifying the trenches was an absolute must.
It was a recurring theme, but Ejiro Evero got another player he's got experience with to assist. A'Shawn Robinson joined on a three-year, $22.5 million deal and instantly improved the Panthers' run defense. Slotting him next to Brown on the interior has the scope to become a nightmare for opposing protection schemes.
Robinson won't offer much as a pass-rusher - he is a gargantuan human who is incredibly difficult to move off the block. Much will depend on whether the Panthers place him as a nose tackle or a 3-4 defensive end, but it would be a major disappointment if he didn't make an immediate contribution.
If Robinson hits the ground running, this will be one of the best moves Carolina's made under Dan Morgan so far.
2. Jadeveon Clowney - Carolina Panthers OLB
There's no doubt what the biggest coup made by the Carolina Panthers was this offseason. Many thought Jadeveon Clowney would join the New York Jets in pursuit of landing on a team with a better chance to contend. Instead, the former No. 1 overall selection opted to play closer to home at this stage of his career.
The Panthers offering an extra year of financial security also played a significant role. But to get a prominent veteran player who is coming off arguably the best season of his professional career, those in power felt like the risk was worth it.
Clowney immediately improves the Panthers' ability to set the edge on running-downs. The former South Carolina college star also looked more explosive than ever in pass-rushing situations last season. He might be a little long in the tooth, but there's a lot of good football left in the once-generational college prospect.
Carolina is counting on Clowney to produce on the field and become a useful mentor to young edge players looking to follow in his footsteps. Looking at last season, it's something he looks capable of accomplishing.
1. Robert Hunt - Carolina Panthers OL
Carolina's marquee free-agent signing could also be the most impactful. Those in power wasted no time in making right guard Robert Hunt their biggest priority once the legal tampering period began, signing him to a five-year, $100 million deal that dropped jaws among the fanbase.
This was a steep price to pay, but the rewards could be substantial. Hunt is another interior tone-setter who excels in pass protection. There's also a lot to like about his physicality against the run, which is going to become more prevalent within Dave Canales' offensive scheme.
Hunt and Damien Lewis could be a formidable offensive guard tandem. If Austin Corbett transitions well to the center spot after the Panthers released Bradley Bozeman, there will be no more excuses for Bryce Young in pursuit of better fortunes next time around.
Much has been made about the contract amount and duration. But looking a little closer, Brandt Tilis has structured it perfectly. Besides, to convince productive players in their prime to join a two-win team in such a small market, there will be some extra cost attached.