Who is the best free agent pass rusher available for the Panthers?
By: Jake Rajala
The Carolina Panthers have aggressively looked to elevate from their 2021 performance (5 wins in 2021). The Panthers haven’t been able to reel in a superb veteran quarterback like Russell Wilson or Deshaun Watson this offseason, but they still have a healthy Christian McCaffrey, reliable D.J. Moore, blistering fast Robby Anderson, and an ascending defense. The Panthers head coach Matt Rhule is still sitting on a very hot chair and I expect him to add a few more pieces to his complex Panthers squad, so they can have a successful 2022 campaign.
The Panthers will be very open to improving their QB spot this offseason, but there is another position that could use more juice: edge rusher. The Panthers recently lost their star pass rusher Haason Reddick (11 sacks in 2021) in free agency and they could look for a stud to replace him. After all, they could use more DL studs after Tom Brady returned to the NFC South for another season. With that said, here are a few pass rushers that the Panthers could target this offseason.
- Jerry Hughes
The former Bills sack artist Jerry Hughes would be an excellent cheap addition to the Panthers young defensive line. He would be an excellent third-down specialist and he’s also a lot more reliable (and less expensive) than Melvin Ingram. Hughes has only missed one game since 2011.
- Calais Campbell
I believe it will be difficult for the Panthers to ink Jadeveon Clowney, but they could be aggressive for the second-tier pass rusher in Calais Campbell. The 6’8 DT/DE can move around the Panthers DL, eat up double teams, and help his teammates excel in one on one situations. Campbell made the Pro Bowl in 2020, ousted a modest 2021 season, and I believe he can be a quality contributor for at least a couple of more seasons.
- Solomon Thomas
The Panthers may seek out a talented pass rusher that’s hasn’t fully blossomed like Solomon Thomas and hope he can be a diamond in the rough. Thomas had 3.5 sacks last season, but he could thrive in a new scheme that helped Reddick shine. Similar to Reddick in 2020, I expect him to take a “prove it” contract on a new team and he surely has the potential for a productive 2022 season.