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This list from Bleacher Report is from their top 50 free agents. Considering the cap, needs, and available talent, it is essential to meet as many needs as possible. In doing so, I look at positions on the Panther roster that must be filled to avoid a drop in performance, and areas of the roster that can be improved as economically as possible. For example, if we add a top TE, do we improve more than we do if we add a wide receiver that costs more? We have to replace Cade Mays, it seems, but can we afford to re-sign him or replace him for $12m or so when our guards cost $40m, our RT costs $25m, and we need to something at LT. Spending $100m on the OL is not good balance. Furthermore, you need to examine needs that are not necessarily urgent or immediate needs. This is a reference--giving you my information so that you can form your own opinions and strategies--just sharing. Based on Bleacher Report’s “Top 50 free agents” list Safety Bryan Cook, S, Kansas City Chiefs Estimated contract: 3 years, $30m Kansas City Chiefs safety Bryan Cook has been a full-time starter for the last three years and has shown the versatility to play multiple roles in the secondary. While the 2022 second-round pick isn't a Pro Bowl-caliber defender, he's a starting safety who just turned 26 in September. Jaylinn Hawkins, S, New England Patriots Estimated contract: 3 years, $25m Jaylinn Hawkins established himself as an above-average starter with the New England Patriots over the past two years and was a full-time starter in 2025. He has flashed positional versatility in New England and won't turn 29 until August. Andrew Wingard, S, Jacksonville Jaguars Estimated contract: 3 years $20m Safety Andrew Wingard returned to being a full-time starter this season and has fared extremely well in the Jacksonville Jaguars' new-look defense. The 29-year-old can play both strong and free safety and hasn't allowed an opposing passer rating above 100.0 since 2021. Coby Bryant, DB, Seattle Seahawks Estimated contract: 3 years, $42m (MHS Comment: I likey) Seahawks defensive back Coby Bryant has spent time as a nickel corner and at safety, and he's coming off a splendid season in Mike Macdonald's defense. The 26-year-old allowed an opposing passer rating of only 54.0 in coverage this past season, his first as a full-time free safety. Reed Blankenship, S, Philadelphia Eagles Estimated Contract: 3 year, $40m Philadelphia Eagles safety Reed Blankenship had a down year in coverage in 2025, but he's still one of the top young safeties slated to hit the market in March. The 26-year-old has started at least 15 games in each of the past three seasons, and while he might not do any one thing at an elite level, he does a little bit of everything well. Center Cade Mays, C, Carolina Panthers Estimated Contract: 3 years, $37m (MHS: The Panthers could re-sign him, but at this price, the draft may be the better option. OL will make more than they are worth in this market. We can’t spend $100m per year on the OL–on the other hand, can we afford to start the season with Nijman or a Rookie at LT AND a rookie C?) Cade Mays entered the NFL as a 2022 sixth-round pick, and he spent most of his early career providing depth at guard and center. However, he emerged as a dependable starting center for the Carolina Panthers this season and should cash in with a starting-level contract in March. Tyler Linderbaum, C, Baltimore Ravens Contract Projection: Four Years, $73 Million There's a good chance that Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum doesn't actually reach the open market. Baltimore declined his fifth-year option strictly because of salary implications—the franchise tag and the fifth-year option values are determined by offensive line salaries, not just center salaries. ESPN's Dan Graziano reported last August that the Ravens planned to extend Linderbaum. If Linderbaum does reach free agency, though, he may be the most coveted lineman on the market. The 25-year-old was just named to his third Pro Bowl and has rarely missed time in his four seasons with the Ravens. While Linderbaum may be a center-only lineman, he's durable, dependable, and just entering his playing prime. Potential Suitors: Carolina Panthers, Cleveland Browns Tight End Isaiah Likely, TE, Baltimore Ravens Contract Projection: Predicted around 4 years, $36.365 million ($9.1M average). Isaiah Likely has often been forced to play second fiddle to fellow Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews, who received a contract extension in early December. However, the 2022 fourth-round pick is a quick, athletic pass-catcher who could shine as another team's top receiving tight end. He is 25. David Njoku, TE, Cleveland Browns Contract Projection: 3 years, $45m. (Note: While his role has diminished a bit with the emergence of Fannin, but Njoku has a $25m cap hit unless he is extended) Browns tight end David Njoku is coming off a disappointing campaign that included just 293 receiving yards, 12 games, and a knee injury that ended his season prematurely. However, the 29-year-old remains one of the league's better pass-catching tight ends when healthy, topping 500 yards in three straight seasons prior to 2025. Kyle Pitts, TE, Atlanta Falcons Contract Projection: 3 years, $45. (Some say that Atlanta will prioritize re-signing him) Kyle Pitts' value could vary wildly from team to team, depending on whether he's judged by his floor or his ceiling. A 1,000-yard receiver as a rookie in 2021, Pitts was merely an above-average tight end for the next four seasons before returning to Pro Bowl form late in 2025. What's undeniable is Pitts' rare combination of size (6'5", 250 lbs) and playmaking ability. Edge Boye Mafe, Edge, Seattle Seahawks Contract projection: 3 years $33m Boye Mafe fell into more of a rotational role this past season and finished with just two sacks and 17 quarterback pressures. However, he's still a 27-year-old edge-rusher with 20 sacks and 24 tackles for loss on his resume. Mafe's best season was a nine-sack campaign in 2023.(His stock is down. Not elite, but enough here to consider) Jaelan Phillips, Edge, Philadelphia Eagles Contract Projection: Three Years, $80 Million Few players boosted their stock over the second half of the season quite like Jaelan Phillips. A 2021 first-round pick of the Miami Dolphins, Phillips tallied 22 sacks over his first two-and-a-half seasons before injuries became a significant issue. He was traded to Philadelphia at the 2025 deadline, and he quickly regained his early elite form. Though Phillips only logged two sacks with the Eagles this past season, he recorded 17 quarterback pressures, four tackles for loss, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. He wasted no time adapting to Vic Fangio's defense and becoming a legitimate difference-maker for Philly. Phillips' injury history will likely lead to an incentive-laden deal that gives his next employer some insurance against another stretch of missed time—he played just 12 games between 2023 and 2024. However, the 26-year-old will be the top edge-defender on a lot of boards. Potential Suitors: Baltimore Ravens, Los Angeles Chargers Trey Hendrickson, Edge, Cincinnati Bengals Contract Projection: Three Years, $75 Million Cincinnati Bengals pass-rusher Trey Hendrickson didn't have the sort of contract year he might have hoped for. Cincinnati's defense was an overall disaster, and Hendrickson logged just four sacks and 12 quarterback pressures before suffering a core muscle injury that ended his season. Having turned 31 in December, Hendrickson probably will not command the same money he might have gotten had he signed an extension over the summer. Of course, a more reasonable contract makes Hendrickson much less of a risk than he might be on a market-level deal. He's still a four-time Pro Bowler who recorded 17.5 sacks in both 2023 and 2024. If healthy, he should provide double-digit sacks in 2026. Expect Hendrickson to land a contract high on incentives and with a team option on the back end. He'll likely draw the most interest from teams that expect to contend over the next couple of seasons. Offensive Tackle Comment: “This year's line market is alarmingly underwhelming overall.” MHS comment: We need to re-sign Nijman and draft an OT or two. Linebacker Kaden Elliss, LB, Atlanta Falcons Contract Projection: 3 years, $28m Kaden Elliss might be an overlooked member of the Falcons' defense, but he's a starting-caliber inside linebacker who can cover, tackle, and rush the passer. The 30-year-old just had his third straight season with at least 100 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and three passes defended. Leo Chenal, LB, Kansas City Chiefs Contract projection: 4 years, $30m (his estimate ranges from $5m to $15m–lotta varying opinions) Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Leo Chenal is an intriguing defender. He's excelled in a starting role over the past two seasons but has never been an every-down player—he played a career-high 53 percent of the defensive snaps in 2025. Still only 25, Chenal should be heavily targeted by teams that believe he can be a full-time defender. Nakobe Dean, LB, Philadelphia Eagles Contract Projection (another estimate with a wide range of estimates–3 years between $27m and $60m) Injuries continue to be a significant concern for Eagles linebacker Nakobe Dean, who has missed time in each of the past three seasons. As a player, though, the 25-year-old has shown elite upside.Dean amassed 55 tackles, four sacks, and seven tackles for loss in 10 games this past season. He may command a short-term "prove-it" deal, but his long-term upside is intriguing. Quay Walker, LB, Green Bay Packers Contract Projection: 3 years, $45m Though Quay Walker hasn't played a full 17-game season since he was a rookie, his injury concerns aren't quite as extensive as Dean's. A terrific all-around linebacker, the 25-year-old has recorded at least 100 tackles, two passes defended, and 1.5 sacks in all four of his seasons. Devin Lloyd LB, Jacksonville Jaguars Contract Projection: Three Years, $51 Million Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd never quite played up to his draft status before the 2025 season. However, the 2022 first-round pick certainly made the most of his contract year. Despite missing time with a calf injury, Lloyd racked up 81 tackles, 1.5 sacks, seven passes defended, 14 quarterback pressures, and five interceptions, while allowing an opposing passer rating of only 56.4 in coverage. While the Utah product will turn 28 next September, he should have several good years in front of him. Wide Receiver Jauan Jennings, WR, San Francisco 49ers Contract Projection: Four years, $84m After dealing with injuries early in the season, San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings was back to being a go-to target by November. The 6'3", 212-pound possession specialist has delivered 83 first downs and 15 touchdowns over the past two seasons. Alec Pierce, WR, Indianapolis Colts Contract Projection: Four Years, $85 Million Don't be surprised if Colts receiver Alec Pierce commands nearly as much attention on the open market as George Pickens this offseason. While Pierce isn't a truly elite receiver—and won't get No. 1 receiver money, as a result—he's an explosive difference-maker with a great combination of size (6'3", 211 lbs) and speed. The 25-year-old just finished the first 1,000-yard campaign of his career and has led the NFL in yards per catch in back-to-back seasons. Pierce averaged an impressive 21.3 yards per reception in 2025 and 22.3 yards per catch the previous season. Teams looking for a big-play threat will be extremely high on the former second-round pick out of Cincinnati, whose next contract may surprise some folks. AS I, MHS831, SEE IT ON THIS 24TH DAY OF JANUARY OF THE YEAR 2026: Point 1 CADE GONE?: Cade Mays sure seems to be expendable. Only Nick Samac (PS?) is on the roster as a center if Mays leaves. However, you have to look at the draft and take one of the top Cs, in my view. You can’t spend all your cap on the OL because your QB is tiny. However, if I am Cade Mays, I might sign for about $8m if given a 3-year deal because I can start in Carolina. However, he jumped from Bama to Tennessee in college, so it is his nature to seek greener pastures. Furthermore, I am not sure he was show the respect to keep him in Carolina–they put him behind Corbett twice, waived him, etc. Point 2 Good value at S: Of the top 50 players in free agency (Bleacher Report list), there is value at S. I like all of them on this list. I guess we learn how much we like Ransom opposite Moehrig, but I think they are the same player–Ransom should be the #2. At a cost of about $10m per year, a S might be a smart addition in free agency vs. the draft. Point 3 Linebackers (ILB) seem to be a good value that meets a need: If we could sign a LB and maybe a S or TE in free agency, we could add 3 starters in free agency and focus on needs in the draft. Ellis could be a value in the $8 range per year for 2 years. Better than Rozeboom, imo. Chenal and Walker are more expensive options, but affordable. Point 4 I just don’t see the value at Edge: At $25m per, if you miss, it is crippling. Here is how we can improve in 2026: A. We get Jones II back. Not great, but he has had a 7 sack year and gets pressure. B. Expect Scourton and Princely to improve. In my view, a situational edge rusher might be all we need. We should be able to sign a veteran like Reddick to do that. Point 5 I am not seeing the top WRs to be worth over $20m: As with the Edge players, our WRs will continue to improve. Can we use Horn better? Coker has yet to be a full-time starter. We need a #3, and we can find one on the cheap or in the draft. Point 6. We can upgrade a lot at TE and the price tags are reasonable. Bring Likely home at $9m per season. As our #1, with Tremble, Evans, and Sanders (cuttable) on the roster, the TE room is respectable. Likely get the #1 role, he comes home, and should get more looks. Based on this, I think we should focus on ILB, S, and TE in free agency, hoping to get 2 or 3 starters. In the draft, OT, edge, WR, and C. -
We should draft an OL high, but we probably won’t. I don’t think Dan is that ruthless. He’s a player friendly guy, who isn’t going to cast off a hometown guy due to injury. Not the right choice, but I suspect he’ll grab a backup quality LT in FA or very late in the draft. -
By HeelsPanthersCanes · Posted
We could've matched the Rams picks and given them CMC had he not been faking injuries that year and missed 10 games.
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