Free Agents this Offseason

[BeenPounding]

Remember our cap only counts the highest 51 contracts.  Many of these guys could be had for near or vet minimum contracts.  Cutting those contracts has no real cap ramifications.  Many of these guys played too much last year and didn't serve the role of depth players.  Even though they didn't perform as starters, they could serve a valuable depth pieces.  If we draft well, get healthy, and sign a few quality free agents, many would be in position to play a part of this team that serves both well.   Take a look at this link and you will see some interesting stats in regard to playing time.  FYI, Xavier Woods played 100% and Mike Jackson played nearly 99% of defensive snaps.  They were the only two players above 95%.  Hunt was the next highest at 93% and he missed the final game.

Unrestricted FA's

QB Andy Dalton - I like him, but we could get someone like Cooper Rush or Minshew for the same $$$$ we are paying him.
C Austin Corbett - Incentive laden and team friendly
C Brady Christensen - top swing OL pay replace Yosh Nijman
TE Tommy Tremble - Lock him up now, multi-year cheap.  He's not even 25.  He will get much better.
TE Ian Thomas
TE Feleipe Franks - ST minimum deal
WR David Moore - minimum deal
RB Mike Boone

DE DeShawn Williams - minimum deal (PS?)
OLB Cam Gill
LB Shaq Thompson - only if it is a minimum with incentives.  Think late career TD or Jeremiah Trotter.  Player coach
CB Mike Jackson - He's going to cost more than we think, but keep the man!!
CB Caleb Farley - minimum deal to prove it if he is FINALLY healthy
S Xavier Woods
S Jordan Fuller
S Nick Scott
S Sam Franklin - not breaking the bank.  He is ST only.
S Lonnie Johnson
P Johnny Hekker - if the price is right
K Eddy Piñeiro
LS JJ Jansen - Can't remember a bad snap over the past 10 years.  According to Google is hasn't happened since 2010.  Resign tomorrow.

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS 
C Cade Mays - 3 million right of first refusal.
WR Deven Thompkins - minimum deal
RB Raheem Blackshear - minimum deal.  I like him, but he didn't show much when given his shot on offense.
WR Velus Jones Jr.
WR Dan Chisena - minimum (PS)

EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS
DE LaBryan Ray - It's cheap, bottom roster PS guy
LB Chandler Wooten - It's cheap, bottom roster PS guy

[Mr. Scot]

1 hour ago, AceBoogie said:

Moving on from Tremble would be a mistake. 

I'd like to keep Tremble.

[kungfoodude]

On 1/8/2025 at 5:14 PM, Basbear said:

 

 

This is his one shot at big money, right @kungfoodude .........

 

 

 

 

I mean....GL??

[kungfoodude]

19 hours ago, Mr. Scot said:

I'd like to keep Tremble.

Eh....he is pretty replaceable. 

[Mr. Scot]

3 hours ago, kungfoodude said:

Eh....he is pretty replaceable. 

I think he's gotten better, and there are bigger needs.

[kungfoodude]

10 hours ago, Mr. Scot said:

I think he's gotten better, and there are bigger needs.

TBH, he is still a JAG, even if he did get better. Not a guy I would spend much money on.

[Steves89]

None hurt too much to lose. I’d like to see Shaq, Brady, mays, Corbett, tremble, Jackson, hekker,Jansen. Maybe that’s it. More than anything I want us to be disciplined about not over paying. 

[broadwayjrdale]

The only two for sure is mike Jackson and Cade Mays if cheap enough Tommy tremble and David more

[TheSpecialJuan]

Per Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer 

▪ Impending free agents: If this beat writer was in Brady Christensen’s shoes, I’d look to head elsewhere for better pay and a guaranteed starting job. But if he can’t and that opportunity, the Panthers getting him back would be a huge boost for the ofensive line. Otherwise, the rest of the re-signing options are pretty much toss-ups.

Long snapper JJ Jansen and punter Johnny Hekker have value beyond their job titles. Cornerback Mike Jackson, tight end Tommy Tremble and wide receiver David Moore really t in well with the culture, and all three played well in pretty big spots this season.

Andy Dalton wants to return, and with Bryce Young in the QB1 seat, keeping that room together makes sense.

Feleipe Franks and Sam Franklin are logical targets for re-signing because of their value on special teams. Re-signing Austin Corbett and Cade Mays to compete at center is a logical, costeective strategy that seems to align with the way the Panthers will approach their already expensive trench group

[mrcompletely11]

5 minutes ago, TheSpecialJuan said:

Per Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer 

▪ Impending free agents: If this beat writer was in Brady Christensen’s shoes, I’d look to head elsewhere for better pay and a guaranteed starting job. But if he can’t and that opportunity, the Panthers getting him back would be a huge boost for the ofensive line. Otherwise, the rest of the re-signing options are pretty much toss-ups.

Long snapper JJ Jansen and punter Johnny Hekker have value beyond their job titles. Cornerback Mike Jackson, tight end Tommy Tremble and wide receiver David Moore really t in well with the culture, and all three played well in pretty big spots this season.

Andy Dalton wants to return, and with Bryce Young in the QB1 seat, keeping that room together makes sense.

Feleipe Franks and Sam Franklin are logical targets for re-signing because of their value on special teams. Re-signing Austin Corbett and Cade Mays to compete at center is a logical, costeective strategy that seems to align with the way the Panthers will approach their already expensive trench group

Andy Dalton returning makes absolute zero sense.   Not sure what Kaye thinks that 

[kungfoodude]

15 hours ago, mrcompletely11 said:

Andy Dalton returning makes absolute zero sense.   Not sure what Kaye thinks that 

Why? It makes a lot of sense to me.

[Martin]

19 hours ago, TheSpecialJuan said:

Per Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer 

▪ Impending free agents: If this beat writer was in Brady Christensen’s shoes, I’d look to head elsewhere for better pay and a guaranteed starting job. But if he can’t and that opportunity, the Panthers getting him back would be a huge boost for the ofensive line. Otherwise, the rest of the re-signing options are pretty much toss-ups.

Long snapper JJ Jansen and punter Johnny Hekker have value beyond their job titles. Cornerback Mike Jackson, tight end Tommy Tremble and wide receiver David Moore really t in well with the culture, and all three played well in pretty big spots this season.

Andy Dalton wants to return, and with Bryce Young in the QB1 seat, keeping that room together makes sense.

Feleipe Franks and Sam Franklin are logical targets for re-signing because of their value on special teams. Re-signing Austin Corbett and Cade Mays to compete at center is a logical, costeective strategy that seems to align with the way the Panthers will approach their already expensive trench group

This is spot on, good analysis