Who is the top free agent target for the Panthers?

By: Jake Rajala

The Carolina Panthers officially compete in the Tom Brady-less NFC South. The crowd that surfaced to hear ” the ultimate question of life, the universe, and everything” in The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, moved to the south to rejoice that TB12 is out of their beloved NFL division.

Matt Rhule’s NFL squad was 5-12 in 2021 and they clearly need to kick things up a notch in 2022. The NFL free agency period is around the corner and Rhule will surely have his sights set on adding a few quality faces. With that said, here are a few profiles that would be ideal fits for the Panthers.

Jadeveon Clowney

The former first overall pick Jadeveon Clowney would be the perfect complement to Haason Reddick. Clowney, who shook the earth with his hit against the University of Michigan in the Outback Bowl, really bounced back in 2021 with 9 sacks.

I sadly expect the Panthers to lose Stephon Gilmore to the 49ers, but I expect them to hit another home-run signing with Clowney. The Panthers play the loaded Buccaneers and Saints offense, so they could use more firepower in their pass-rushing arsenal. If the Panthers can find a talented QB this offseason and they can ink Clowney, the Panthers should be seen as NFC South favorites.

Jakobi Meyers

I believe Jakobi Meyers is the ultimate underdog in the free agent WR pool this offseason. Meyers somehow quietly unveiled 866 receiving yards and two touchdowns last season. The 25-year-old is in the shadow of wideouts like Allen Robinson and JuJu Smith-Schuster, but he can be a Pro Bowl WR in the right system. If the Panthers lose Robby Anderson, it would be wise to target Meyers. He could reunite with Josh McDaniels in Las Vegas, but he could attract a more lucrative offer from the Panthers team that already misses Curtis Samuel.

Riley Reiff

The 2021 AFC Champion Riley Reiff is a free agent in 2022 and it appears the Cincinnati Bengals will look to replace Reiff with a younger OT. Reiff has injury issues, but that’s why he could be a quality value pickup by the Panthers. He should be available for the Panthers beyond the early stages of free agency and that would be perfect for the OT-needy Panthers team.

Reiff can play LT and RT so that versatility could provide huge dividends for the Panthers. Reiff might be 33 years old, but he can play at a modest level for many more years at the age-less LT position.

Honorable mentions:

P.J. Williams

The Panthers are all too familiar with the talent of the Saints safety/cornerback P.J. Williams. The former Florida State defensive back had his best season in 2021, as he notched two sacks, three interceptions (including a pick-six against Tom Brady), four QB hits, and he routinely thumped wide receivers in the middle of the field. Williams would be a fine, versatile replacement for the Panthers if they can’t retain Gilmore.