A look at the best available free agents to fit the Carolina Panthers’ needs

With the new league year starting at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, the Carolina Panthers still have several holes across the roster that need addressing.

Carolina found its bridge quarterback on Tuesday by agreeing to terms with Andy Dalton during the second day of free agency. The team also cut center Pat Elflein after re-signing Bradley Bozeman a day earlier and did not tender defensive back Myles Hartsfield, who is now free to sign elsewhere.

The decision not to retain Hartsfield signals Carolina is still searching for a versatile nickel defender. The team also needs help at receiver, tight end, running back, and linebacker.

Here is a breakdown of the best remaining free agents at those positions.

Wide receiver

The Panthers’ wide receiver depth chart is frighteningly thin. New Chicago Bears receiver D.J. Moore accounted for 28% of Carolina’s receiving yards (888) last season. His seven touchdowns made up 44% of the team’s 16 total receiving touchdowns. Terrace Marshall Jr., Shi Smith, and Laviska Shenault Jr. are the only receivers currently on the roster who caught a pass last season.

All that means Carolina will likely replenish its receiver room with at least one veteran via free agency and then use the draft to add young talent.

Best fit: Parris Campbell, Colts

Campbell was drafted by the Colts in 2019 by Panthers coach Frank Reich. He battled injury for three straight seasons, appearing in just six games. But last season he had a career season, catching 63 catches for 623 yards and three touchdowns.

In Carolina, Campbell could play multiple spots in Reich’s offense. He’s a big-slot option with sure hands and separation ability.

Others available

Mecole Hardman, Chiefs

DJ Chark, Lions

Adam Thielen, Vikings

Nelson Agholor, Patriots

Tight end

The Panthers are returning their tight end room of Ian Thomas, Tommy Tremble, and Giovanni Ricci. Though the group is reliable, all three lack explosiveness as pass catchers. Carolina hasn’t rostered a playmaking tight end since Greg Olsen.

Finding a dependable receiving tight end will help both Dalton and the quarterback Carolina select No. 1 overall in April’s draft. Young tight ends usually take a few seasons to fully transition from college football to the NFL. Tremble is entering his third season and the team is hopeful he’ll blossom into a playmaker. But signing a pass-catching veteran ensues the Panthers have an over-the-middle threat this season.

Best fit: Hayden Hurst, Bengals

The tight end market features mostly one-dimensional options. Hurst should be the most affordable while still offering comparable pass-catching upside. Hurst won’t stretch the field or vertically challenge a defense but he wins underneath and proved valuable to Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow versus zone coverage.

Others available

Dalton Schultz, Cowboys

Mike Gesicki, Dolphins

Austin Hooper, Titans

Robert Tonyan, Packers

Running back

Carolina has two running backs under contract. The team spent a 2021 fourth-round pick on Chubba Hubbard and signed undrafted rookie Raheem Blackshear last season off the Bills’ practice squad. Both are back next season. Though the team has high expectations for both, Carolina is also in the market for a downhill running to complement the duo.

Best fit: D’Onta Foreman, Panthers

Carolina knows what veteran Foreman can do. He totaled 877 rushing yards and five touchdowns during an 11-game stretch last season. Panthers.com reported that the team made an offer to Foreman before Monday. Like most free agent negotiations, retaining Foreman is going to come down to both sides compromising.

Others available

Miles Sanders, Eagles

Jamaal Williams, Lions

David Montgomery, Bears

Kareem Hunt, Browns

Linebacker

The Panthers’ needs at linebacker are less urgent than the above three positions. Before free agency, the team reworked Shaq Thompson’s contract. He’ll start at one of the two inside linebacker spots. There is still a lot of unknown surrounding how the team will deploy fellow linebackers Frankie Luvu and Brandon Smith as Carolina transition to a 3-4 front under new defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero.

Carolina signing safety Vonn Bell on Monday is also a signal that safety Jeremy Chinn is likely going to play closer to the line of scrimmage this season as a hybrid linebacker.

Best fit: Anthony Walker, Browns

Walker would be a sound fit next to Thompson. With the Browns, Walker was asked to do a lot in pass coverage. He was a team captain and called plays. He sustained a season-ending quadriceps injury in Week 3 and the Browns’ defense regressed without him.

Before joining the Browns via free agency in 2021, Walker played four seasons with the Colts. Three of those years were under Reich. He recorded two 100-plus tackle seasons with the Colts and made 112 tackles in his first season in Cleveland.

Others available

Devin Bush, Steelers

Drue Tranquill, Chargers

Bobby Wagner, Rams

Lavonte David, Buccaneers