Free Agency - When it starts

[PantherPaul]

Bleacher report.com ranks the 50 best free agents and predicts where they'll go. Here are Panthers and free agents who "could" come here.

#3 DeAngelo Williams Current Team: Carolina Panthers

2010 Stats: 87 carries, 361 yards, 1 TD

Value: He may have missed 10 games this year, but Williams is the best back on the 2011 free-agent market. Just two years ago, he had an incredible season: 1,515 yards, 18 touchdowns. There's no reason he cannot repeat that type of year in the right offense. It just won't happen in Carolina with rebuilding in progress and Jonathan Stewart to steal away carries.

Best Fit: Indianapolis Colts. The Colts have to make a move at running back and drafting one late in the first round (for the third time in six years) probably doesn't make sense. And what back wouldn't want to play with Peyton Manning?

#25 Charles Johnson
Current Team: Carolina Panthers

2010 Stats: 11.5 sacks

Value: Johnson finishing seventh in the NFL in sacks wasn't quite as impressive as it sounds. Filling in for the departed Julius Peppers, in a defense designed around Peppers, was going to leave someone in good position for bringing down opposing quarterbacks.

But Johnson is young and agile and probably a double-digit sack artist in any system, something he'll have to prove in 2011 whether or not he stays with the Panthers—whoever their new coach is—or if he leaves town for another team.

Best Fit: Panthers. Carolina wont have to pay him anything near Julius Peppers money and to them, that'll be a reason to keep him. And after only one excellent season, Johnson won't be the most attractive free-agent defender on the market.


#36 Roman Harper Current Team: New Orleans Saints

2010 Stats: 98 tackles, 3 sacks, 1 INT

Value: Harper cost himself a lot of money in free agency by playing so poorly in the loss to Seattle last week. But he did have a great season in Gregg Williams' super-aggressive offense.

One afternoon won't ruin four years of great play, so the 2009 Pro Bowler will easily find a home.

Best Fit: Carolina Panthers. Whoever the Panthers bring in (could it be Williams?) they'll start with rebuilding the secondary.

Didn't see the big DT from Seattle on the list

 

[Thelt]

Matt Hasselback might be worth a look.

Peyton Manning might be an upgrade on Clausen as well

 

[reezyd]

I don't think we need to pay for a safety. I would like to see Nmandi in a Panther uniform but I know that won't happen.

I will go out on a limb and say that the most interesting free agents that we sign will be practice squad linemen.... as usual

 

[Thelt]

If we do not find a QB then next year will be much like this year. Maybe JR will give Rivera more than one year.....

I would not pay for a safety either. Godfrey and Martin looked decent to me.

 

[Faithwarrior118]

Harper looked horrible against Seattle.

 

[CelticCat]

I don't think we need to pay for a safety. I would like to see Nmandi in a Panther uniform but I know that won't happen.

I will go out on a limb and say that the most interesting free agents that we sign will be practice squad linemen.... as usual

That would be a massive coup. Him and Fairley would be a massive start.

I guess it all depends on the CBA, how much cap space we'll have and how they want to spend it. Not to mention who may actually hit the market.

Alot of RB's hitting FA. No need if 34 stays. Safeties too but no real need there either with Godfrey and Martin.

Tolberts interesting tho. Vincent Jackson?

Lots of LB's. Pozlusny, Woodley, Greenway. active guys with lots of tackles. inside outside , 3-4, 4-3, hybrid?

Hali at DE

Dont see any TE's

OT's in Light and Clabo

 

[Thelt]

Except for QB and DT Rivera is getting a pretty solid team. If he can fill those two holes effectively and get an OC who is decent he can be successful right away. I depends on keeping our own players and not making radical changes.

 

[The Special One]

I'd love to see us pick up Vince Young when he gets released by the Titans.

 

[PantherPaul]

No mention of Brandon Mebane DT from Seattle. Graduated from Cal Berkley, played a solid game against Saints. Pair him with Fairley in front of Beason-Davis and Anderson and our secondary gets a lot better

 

[Faithwarrior118]

I'd love to see us pick up Vince Young when he gets released by the Titans.