Free agency won't be extremely active time for Panthers

[Sir Purr]

But in trying to project players into roles they hadn't played before, there were some misses. They gave defensive end Stephen Weatherly a two-year, $12.5 million deal, hoping the former Vikings backup could flourish as a starter. Instead, he had no sacks in nine games before a finger injury ended his season after nine games, and he was released.


Weatherly re-signed with the Vikings, and admitted to reporters there that he took his foot off the gas after getting paid, saying: "I openly admit that my time in Carolina, I was happy about the deal I signed and a little bit of complacency set in and that can't happen."


Other forays into free agency were equally frustrating, as veteran cornerback Eli Apple didn't make it through the season, and linebacker Tahir Whitehead struggled with some injuries and eventually lost his starting job.


As head coach Matt Rhule heads into his second year, he should also have a better idea of what he has on hand and how to fit parts around them, and at which positions.


The Panthers have the extreme need on the offensive line (Moton and center Matt Paradis are the only returning starters), but they also could use later stages of free agency to find starters at cornerback, linebacker, and defensive tackle, among other spots.


They've continued to talk with Miller about a return, and finding a pair of starting guards is a priority in free agency. Beyond that, the act of filling in the depth chart will be more eventual than eventful, as this year's market could lead many teams to leave free agent holes to be filled after the draft.


While projecting specific names makes for good talk-radio banter this time of year, recognizing that the players might not be household names will be helpful. If you wanted to narrow the list, being under 30 years old and having positional flexibility are major plusses for potential candidates. It will be a targeted approach because the Panthers aren't in a position to justify spending on old guys with established resumes.


The Buccaneers just won a Super Bowl with a bunch of free agents, but there was a more stable base there (and then they added some guy named Tom Brady), so bringing in the Rob Gronkowskis and Antonio Browns and the Leonard Fournettes made more sense for them.


The Panthers aren't in that spot yet.


It might not make Charlotte the center of the NFL news universe for the next few weeks, but there should still be a few moves made as they try to fill in the blanks on the roster.


HOUSEKEEPING


The Panthers still have one restricted free agent to deal with before the market opens next week in defensive tackle Efe Obada.


Obada recently changed agents, which has prevented much progress on a deal so far (since there's a five-day moratorium on business when players switch representation). He'll likely end up getting a restricted free agent tender, which will give the Panthers a chance to match any deal he'd get from another team.


Obada grew into a solid interior rusher last year, and his 5.5 sacks were second on the team.


The Panthers already signed their other three RFAs ( Trent Scott, Brandon Zylstra, and Keith Kirkwood).