Possible cap casualties to target

[joemac]

4 hours ago, Icege said:

Joe Person's latest Athletic article, Can Panthers find treasures among other teams’ salary cap-casualty trash?, touches on a few of the situations that some of us Huddlers have been looking at.

Some of the specific targets Person has listed:

• TE: Zach Ertz, Cameron Brate, David Njoku, Jimmy Graham
• WR: Jamison Crowder
• OL: Charles Leno Jr, Kevin Zeitler, James Carpenter
• DT: Jarran Reed, Akiem Hicks, Quinton Jefferson
• CB: Malcolm Butler
• LB: Jaylon Smith, Bendardrick McKinney

A few of us have buzzed about Njoku. He's a great athlete.

Not from Person's article, but a few other possible cap casualties:

• OL: Andrew Norwell, Brandon Linder, Anthony Castonzo, Kevin Zeitler, Trai Turner, George Fant, Terron Armstead
• TE: Evan Engram, Kyle Rudolph, Eric Ebron, Jesse James, CJ Uzomoah, Tyler Eifert, OJ Howard
• LB: Dont'a Hightower, Jordan Hicks
• CB: Kyle Fuller, Janoris Jenkins, Steven Nelson, Xavien Howard, Desmond Trufant, Justin Coleman, Bradley Roby, Robert Alford, Jonathan Jones, Buster Skrine

I think just about all of those guys listed are at a position of need for us, and would all be an upgrade over what we had last year.  I hope we can make some smart signings, bolster the o-line, and find our future QB this off season.  The future is very bright, but they need to start improving NOW.  There is a lot of good talent out there available.

[joemac]

4 hours ago, ncfan said:

Id love to be able to grab Patrick Peterson.

Highly unlikely, but with his age, recent suspension for I believe PEDs, strong projected draft CB crop, and solid FA group.  He may not cost as much as people think around here.  But with our limited cap, it still may be to much for us.

He might be a good candidate for the Charles Woodson treatment.  Side over to Safety and extend his career by 4 or 5 seasons.  I think he could be good in that spot.

[Captain Morgan]

1 hour ago, shaqattaq said:

I remember being interested in Njoku in the draft a few years back, but haven't followed him. His stats aren't exactly earth shattering, and, IIRC, he was never much of a blocker. A change of scenery may help him out, but it's unlikely that he's the answer at TE. He is young, and should be cheap, so why the heck not? He's likely better than anyone we currently have.

 

I think he's the guy of guy Rhule likes to get...got the tools, just needs better coaching.  Could be our next Roddy type talent at a less cost.  And cutting Ian gives us 2.1 mill more for the TE position.  

[t96]

5 hours ago, LinvilleGorge said:

Some of those names make no sense IMO. Ertz looks shot and I'd rather just pay and keep Samuel than go after Crowder.

I'm starting to think Crowder will be significantly cheaper... Samuel was much better and is young and on the upswing while Crowder is the opposite. Could be a decent vet. replacement for relatively cheap if we can't keep Samuel.

[OldhamA]

2 hours ago, shaqattaq said:

I remember being interested in Njoku in the draft a few years back, but haven't followed him. His stats aren't exactly earth shattering, and, IIRC, he was never much of a blocker. A change of scenery may help him out, but it's unlikely that he's the answer at TE. He is young, and should be cheap, so why the heck not? He's likely better than anyone we currently have.

He's a very good blocker now - clearly worked hard on it.

He's been underutilised in Cleveland - wanted out last offseason. They'd trade him rather than release him though - they exercised his 5th year option after all.

[LinvilleGorge]

1 hour ago, t96 said:

I'm starting to think Crowder will be significantly cheaper... Samuel was much better and is young and on the upswing while Crowder is the opposite. Could be a decent vet. replacement for relatively cheap if we can't keep Samuel.

Yeah, in that scenario I'd be okay with it. I'm just not completely convinced Samuel is going to be highly sought after. It's going to take someone who is willing to use him creatively like we have. If you just line him up as a WR and ask him to play a traditional WR type role you're gonna get hit with some significant buyer's remorse IMO. 

[t96]

1 hour ago, LinvilleGorge said:

Yeah, in that scenario I'd be okay with it. I'm just not completely convinced Samuel is going to be highly sought after. It's going to take someone who is willing to use him creatively like we have. If you just line him up as a WR and ask him to play a traditional WR type role you're gonna get hit with some significant buyer's remorse IMO. 

Ehh, I'm not so sure about that. He's begun proving himself as a more than capable route runner and obviously is a huge threat down the field. Imagine him going to KC or GB or somewhere they could feature him. I could see him easily putting up 1200-1500 yards as a starter in those offense with QBs who can get him the ball. GB actually makes a ton of sense, though not sure what their cap situation looks like.

[imminent rogaine]

Whoever we could snag for a decent deal. I’d be down w Norwell if we end up trading up and don’t have the picks to load up on line. I think Brate would be an excellent signing.

[Scott12345]

we missed on crowder at the draft...would love to have him

around same $$ as Samuel though?

[davos]

There's one name that really stands out and that is Charles Leno.  He's had a low key solid career in Chicago.

Last year--Over 1,000 snaps at LT, 6 penalties, 5 sacks allowed.

[davos]

Charles Leno at LT

And if Brady does want to use a TE, Jonnu Smith.

LB is tough.  I'd rather draft mid rounds than overpay an average guy in FA.  There's not a lot of options there.

[45catfan]

If these players are cap casualties (i.e. getting handsomely paid) what makes people here think these very same players will all of a sudden go dumpster diving for deals?  Will they bite on a somewhat cheaper deal? Possibly.  Will they jump on the first low-balled contract a team throws at them?  Nope. If we are building though the draft, many of those cap casualties will still be too rich for the Panthers.

[Peon Awesome]

If we learned anything from last year it's that jumping to sign players at the start of free agency rather than being patient and waiting for players' values to declare themselves is not smart business. That's how we ended up handing out a big contract to Bridgewater rather than sitting tight and seeing that comparable players were getting paid peanuts. I hope we stay minimally active for the next couple months outside of perhaps super low ball bargain contract offers. As time goes on, fewer and fewer teams will have any cap space and even better quality players will get cut as teams scramble to make more.

[Mr. Scot]

4 hours ago, LinvilleGorge said:

Yeah, in that scenario I'd be okay with it. I'm just not completely convinced Samuel is going to be highly sought after. It's going to take someone who is willing to use him creatively like we have. If you just line him up as a WR and ask him to play a traditional WR type role you're gonna get hit with some significant buyer's remorse IMO. 

It's gonna be a complicated year.

Lesser than expected salary cap makes it difficult to keep your own while also making it difficult for other teams to sign your guys away.

Might be like watching one of those shows where they see who can save the most with coupons.