Voth previews free agency

[Mr. Scot]

Before the Panthers pick, they'll shop
 

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It's mock draft season. Prepare grains of salt accordingly.

Over the next two months, you'll see draft experts throwing darts at the Carolina Panthers' No. 30 spot in the first round. Of course, the reality is no team — not even the Titans at No. 1 — is close to making a call on what it's going to do come Apr. 28.

Now that we're three years into Dave Gettleman's regime as Carolina's general manager, we have a big enough sample size to know this — it's silly to predict what he's going to do just yet. Sure, the Panthers have needs, so matching those positions with draft prospects who may be around late in the first round is the easy play. But Gettleman's more immediate goal is to plug up his team's biggest holes via free agency.

So as draft hype ramps up this week with the start of the NFL Combine, it's important to remember the importance of all this is a bit out of order. What Gettleman and the Panthers do when they get back from Indianapolis is what will ultimately set their table for the draft.

 

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With their needs filled, the Panthers then shocked most experts by using their first-round pick on Shaq Thompson. Did they need a linebacker? Of course not. But that's part of Gettleman's plan to build a consistent winner.

So with the 2016 shopping season about to begin, it's not too difficult to predict which positions he could address ahead of the draft.

Quarterback — No.

Running back — Decent chance. As much as fans are intrigued by Cameron Artis-Payne and Brandon Wegher, the Panthers would like to add a seasoned veteran alongside Jonathan Stewart. Think someone cheaper than Doug Martin but with more experience than Jordan Todman.

Wide receiver — Sure. Of the 36 free agents Gettleman has signed before the draft, eight have been wideouts. Just don't expect a big splash like Alshon Jeffery.

Tight end — Maybe. Someone needs to compete with Scott Simonson for the No. 3 role.

Offensive line — Yes. Yet again, the entire NFL expects the Panthers to look for tackle help. A backup center would be a good idea, too. Ryan Kalil should have a few good years left, but he turns 31 in March and he's probably facing a contract restructure.

Defensive line — Defensive end ... duh. How much Gettleman's willing to spend for help there is the big mystery. The only end he's signed in the pre-draft period was Alex Hall in 2014.

Linebacker — Nah. Unless it's another special teams ace kinda guy.

Defensive back — Gosh yes. Here's the cornerbacks under contract for 2016: Bené Benwikere, Robert McClain, Teddy Williams, Lou Young. So even if/when Josh Norman is slapped with the franchise tag, there's plenty of room for help. And at safety, Eric Weddle's past with Ron Rivera and Steve Wilks makes him an obvious target, but Gettleman will only do it if the price is right.

To recap: a running back, a receiver, an offensive tackle, a center, a defensive end, a cornerback and a safety. If Carolina can check those positions off their to-do list, they'll be in good shape to go best player available at the end of April.

It may not be sexy, but after the Panthers' past three drafts, it sure seems effective.

 

[Kevin Greene]

Free agency to set up the draft, yawn.

[CarolinaNCSU]

Seems like a pretty "big" list when Voth concludes the article...especially after franchising Norman and locking up KK further limiting any future money we'd want to hand out. 

 

DE, CB, S, and OT specifically all hopefully get some FA help, though. If we still want a RB/WR, wait for some Summer cuts or draft them. 

[Mr. Scot]

4 minutes ago, CarolinaNCSU said:

Seems like a pretty "big" list when Voth concludes the article...especially after franchising Norman and locking up KK further limiting any future money we'd want to hand out. 

DE, CB, S, and OT specifically all hopefully get some FA help, though. If we still want a RB/WR, wait for some Summer cuts or draft them. 

Thought so at first too, but on reexamination it's probably about average for a typical offseason. 

Keep in mind, not every one of these is a star player or even a starter.

[TheSpecialJuan]

I'm always interested in finding out who we are actually interested in signing. Gettleman and his staff do such thorough work on players that we, as fans, can never predict who we're interested in.  

We say sign Eric Weddle at safety and he brings in Husain Abdullah from KC.

[t96]

58 minutes ago, Mr. Scot said:

Keep in mind, not every one of these is a star player or even a starter.

Or even ends up on the 53. DG may sign a position of need that ends up being BPA early in the draft and that FA is beaten out at camp, or even UDFAs. If we didn't draft a receiver this past year which was certainly possible, Boykin may have ended up on the roster. If we somehow got Tyler Lockett in addition to Funch, Ginn may have been cut. Those positions are ones that Voth thinks need addessing. I don't know about "needs" but they should be if possible. Obviously you can't improve every single position in a given year, it's just unrealistic. But with FA and the draft DG can and will do as much as possible.

[The Huddler]

2 hours ago, Kevin Greene said:

Free agency to set up the draft, yawn.

What a crappy approach to building a team. Superbowl apearance... yawn

[csx]

Voth is captain obvious. 

[Captain Obvious]

HE is Not.

9 minutes ago, csx said:

Voth is captain obvious. 

 

[nctarheel0619]

We'll have plenty of cap space one way or another.  Andre Smith looks appetizing, can't be worse then Remmers.  

[The Huddler]

12 minutes ago, nctarheel0619 said:

We'll have plenty of cap space one way or another.  Andre Smith looks appetizing, can't be worse then Remmers.  

Pretty sure Williams is gunna take that spot. 

 

Williams was raw. Fir the sake of Oline continuity and chemistry,  we kept remmers as the starter. When you start 14-0 and have the #1 offense there was no reason fuging with the line and risk less production when ya dont have to. 

 

A think williams is a damn good ling term RT

[nctarheel0619]

Just now, The Huddler said:

Pretty sure Williams is gunna take that spot. 

 

Williams was raw. Fir the sake of Oline continuity and chemistry,  we kept remmers as the starter. When you start 14-0 and have the #1 offense there was no reason fuging with the line and risk less production when ya dont have to. 

 

A think williams is a damn good ling term RT

I actually agree, completely, but Andre Smith at the right price would be a solid piece to add.  

But, I think he'll be too expensive in someway.  

[Mr. Scot]

I'm a little concerned about Williams in that despite only seeing spot duty, he's already been injured a time or two.

Might be nothing, but it in the back of my mind I wonder just a little how he'll react to full-time duty.

[CWORS]

DG will probably surprise us again with his 1st round pick. I am thinking if a CB or RB falls DG will grab one of them. I doubt Elliot will drop to us or Ramsey will either...but maybe Fuller at CB and maybe Henry (which I would be against)