Rodrigue's Offseason Primer

[Mr. Scot]

Here: What to expect from the Panthers

Excerpts...

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The Carolina Panthers have many roster needs to fill ahead of the 2019 season, but only have about $17 million to work with in salary cap space in free agency.

So, while some needs will be addressed this week, many will be filled in the draft in April.

 

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Quarterback: NFL draft

The Panthers feel positive about the progress of franchise quarterback Cam Newton after his shoulder surgery in January, which means they have a little more wiggle room this spring as they find depth.

Head coach Ron Rivera said at the NFL scouting combine last month that the Panthers would not look to free agency to fill the backup role. Instead, the team would like to either draft and develop a system backup, or continue to develop second-year quarterback Kyle Allen for the role.

In all likelihood, there will be a competition in spring workouts and training camp for the backup role between Taylor Heinicke, an exclusive-rights free agent who won the backup role last season, Allen and a newcomer.

Speculation we've seen before. I love to see the Panthers grab Will Grier as a possible quarterback of the future.

 

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Running back: Draft

Carolina could very well re-sign longtime backup Cameron Artis-Payne, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent this week.

But Artis-Payne has been on the Panthers’ roster for four years without his role expanding — especially during the 2018 season, when starter Christian McCaffrey played 91 percent of offensive snaps. Artis-Payne’s 45 carries during his rookie season in 2015 was a career-high, and he had just 19 carries in 2018.

As the Panthers seek to make McCaffrey’s workload more efficient — keeping his touches the same while removing some extraneous snaps — it’s more likely they will look to the middle and later rounds of this year’s draft to find his complement.

The "longer look" we were supposed to be taking at Artis-Payne after CJ Anderson's release never really happened. Won't be a surprise if he's let go and replaced with a rookie.

 

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Wide receiver/tight end: Draft

Because the Panthers picked up veteran receiver Torrey Smith’s option last week, they aren’t likely to bring in another receiver in free agency — especially not with rising stars DJ Moore and Curtis Samuel on the roster.

But Smith’s $5 million owed in 2019 is not guaranteed, which means if the Panthers have a chance to draft a player they feel might be more valuable, they have some flexibility to do so.

Starting tight end Greg Olsen continues his rehabilitation from his second foot surgery in two seasons, but he is set to make a full return in 2019.

Rivera’s comments at the combine indicated that the offensive staff has plans to use more 12-personnel in 2019 (two tight ends, one running back), which means Olsen will work in tandem with second-year tight end Ian Thomas.

Smith is a big topic of discussion right now. No need to rehash that here. Would say though that I'm still not convinced we can get a full season out of Greg Olsen.
 

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Offensive line: Free agency/draft

Reviving the offensive line is one of the biggest needs for the Panthers this spring.

Right tackle Daryl Williams is likely going to test free agency, multiple sources confirmed to the Observer last week, and it’s unlikely the Panthers have the money to re-sign him even if they wanted to do so.

That means third-year tackle Taylor Moton will start at right tackle in 2019. Carolina will need to add depth there, likely a swing tackle who can play both left and right backup roles.

On the left side of the line, and at center, the Panthers have a lot of gaps. They must find a replacement for longtime starting center Ryan Kalil, who retired at the end of the 2018 season. They also need to bring in competition at left guard, and decide if their long-term plans include left tackle Matt Kalil — who is in a deadweight contract with little wiggle room and is coming off a knee injury that sidelined him for the entire 2018 season.

The Panthers don’t have the money to sign big-name offensive linemen. So it’s probable that they will add some depth in free agency, and then use some current players, like center Tyler Larsen and left guard Greg Van Roten, as “bridge players” who can fill in while the linemen Carolina selects in the draft develop.

Still would prefer Moton at left but it's pretty clear Rivera isn't going to go there.  Matt Paradis was expected to be a target in free agency but the contract the Bills gave Mitch Morse makes that look unlikely to happen. I think this was written before Remmers release. I do believe he's a possible option at guard.

 

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Defensive line: Free agency/draft

Carolina will probably approach its defensive line in similar fashion to its offensive line this spring: Find depth in free agency, and draft a prolific pass-rusher or two who can immediately contribute.

The Panthers are interested in increasing starting defensive tackle Dontari Poe’s snaps in 2019 as they seek more production from him, plus they would like to increase vertical (up the middle) pressure. The team also wants to be more multiple, using both 3-man and four-man fronts as they strive to put a little juice back in their pass rush.

Carolina needs to find a defensive end to replace retired star Julius Peppers, but many of the top free-agent pass-rushers have already been re-signed by their respective teams.

The Panthers are interested in bringing back veteran rotational defensive tackle Kyle Love for depth or in a player-coach role after a stellar 2018 season, according to a league source. Love will likely test the market, but there’s a strong chance he returns to Carolina.

Increasing Poe's snaps?  Ugh! Hate losing Kyle Love. He's one of those guys who genuinely contributes and doesn't take up a lot of salary cap.

 

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Linebacker: Draft

Carolina is heading in a new direction at linebacker for the first time in over a decade, after informing longtime starter Thomas Davis that his contract would not be renewed.

Because the Panthers do have a lot of firepower at linebacker with Luke Kuechly and Shaq Thompson pegged as starters, and have promising up-and-comers Jermaine Carter and Andre Smith in the ranks, when they do add linebackers it’ll be for special teams purposes late in the draft, if not as undrafted free agents.

It's gonna be weird to see a linebacking corps that doesn't include #58. might be just as weird to see four linebackers instead of three (or as was common for the Panthers, two).

 

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Defensive back: Free agency/draft

Two of Carolina’s three biggest defensive needs are in the secondary, at nickel and safety.

Because the Panthers signed starting safety Eric Reid to a three-year deal last month, it’s unlikely that they’ll spend big on a player in a loaded safety market — though based on their reported interest in six-time Pro Bowler Eric Weddle, they wouldn’t say “no” to the right player at the right price.

Carolina is looking for a starter opposite Reid. While second-year safety Rashaan Gaulden is expected to compete for the job, the Panthers will probably add a player in the draft.

The Panthers also like their outside cornerbacks, James Bradberry and Donte Jackson, and are optimistic about the depth there with Ross Cockrell and Kevon Seymour returning to health.

But if Carolina wants a little more experience at nickel after releasing veteran Captain Munnerlyn last month, there are a few solid free agents in that mold — Chicago’s Bryce Callahan and Cincinnati’s Darqueze Dennard are two names that immediately come to mind.

Nickel is a key defensive role that doesn’t yet demand a top-dollar market, so this spring could be the perfect time for the Panthers to scoop up their next starter without breaking the bank.

Nickel options could be intriguing. Gotta say a healthy Ross Cockrell and Kevon Seymour doesn't exactly say "optimism" to me, but hey...

 

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Specialists: None

Placekicker Graham Gano signed a four-year, $17 million extension with the Panthers last spring, while punter Michael Palardy is locked in for the next three years.

No mention of JJ Jansen? Nothing to add here other than I still wish we were talking about Butker on a rookie contract rather than Gano on a big extension.

 

One Update: Rodrigue was reported to have said on WFNZ today that she now expected the Panthers free agent moves this offseason to be centered around depth and backups, not starters.

She's also since stated that, while it's still up in the air, she believes it's now more likely that Matt Kalil sticks around.

[KillerKat]

5-11 with a midseason firing of the whole staff and FO. I'm ready for it.

[Pejorative Miscreant]

2 minutes ago, KillerKat said:

5-11 with a midseason firing of the whole staff and FO. I'm ready for it.

Go Team!?

[The Lobo]

So basically this offseason is like every offseason for us? Wait until the second wave of FA, which can be a good thing, to sign players 

[TheSpecialJuan]

Patience is key here, prices drop for these guys every day that goes by. Look for Hurney to focus on players who were cut (Tashaun Gipson, Andre Branch, Mike Remmers) due to the fact that they won't count against comp pick formula. 

[LinvilleGorge]

Cliff notes: We're going to have to get really lucky with some bargain basement FAs and knock it out of the park in the draft or it's looking ugly for next season.

 

[ellis]

That was a very long article that told me nothing new. 

 

 

[thunderraiden]

Considering our cap space I would be fine with Remmers as depth, Eric Weddle at safety, and Bryce Callahan in the nickel. Then filling the rest of the pieces in the draft. I would love an FA D-Lineman but its just wayy too expensive, you have to hit in the draft for Left Tackle which we are in range of, and get lucky in the second with a D-End and maybe even trading up if the NC State Center drops to the bottom of the second.

By my count that would leave all holes plugged.

[Growl]

How excited will you be when Dave asks you to pay for his superfluous practice facility and roof nobody wants after he couldn't open up the wallet for "starting caliber" players to a roster who success hinged on it.

maybe he'll buy us off with some more logos on the field or a silly uniform change

[MHS831]

I think we have to cut  some more  players or restructure.  She mentions about 5 free agents--I doubt $16m buys many---does that include  the rookie contracts?  

I still say Kalil could be cut post June 1, as well as Poe---Thompson should not make $9m--I realize that you cant use  post June 1 on free agents, but I think you can use it to sign draft picks.

Olsen is really putting the team in a bad  situation if  he is  waiting to decide.  I think he plays, because  he  is making good money.

Here is how I translate this:  Where we need immediate help, free agency or free agency AND draft.  I could see us adding  a DT and OL  in both.  Where we need depth, the draft.

DRAFT:  QB, RB, WR/TE, OL, DL, DB and LB. 

FREE AGENCY:  OL, DT, DE, S, NICKEL

I think we sign (Free agency):  DT, Nickel, S, and  OL 

SO NOW YOU KNOW WHAT WE WON'T DO.

[shulasmyhero]

Just curious, how many draft picks does she think we have?  

Re-signing T Smith, not cutting Kalil and not restructuring Shaq’s contract to free up cap space when they have more needs than they can address in the draft boggles the mind.

[MHS831]

9 minutes ago, Growl said:

How excited will you be when Dave asks you to pay for his superfluous practice facility and roof nobody wants after he couldn't open up the wallet for "starting caliber" players to a roster who success hinged on it.

maybe he'll buy us off with some more logos on the field or a silly uniform change

4 bonus points.

su·per·flu·ous

/so͞oˈpərflo͞oəs/

adjective

adjective: superfluous

1. unnecessary, especially through being more than enough.

[CarolinaNCSU]

So...pray a healthy shouldered Cam can carry the team and stay healthy?  Using the ol' Rivera "bend don't break" defense? Never seen that game plan before. 

 

[RumHam]

Well hopefully we are tanking. We just need to sit cam