Five off-season fixes: Carolina Panthers
With Super Bowl LI over, it’s time to turn our attention to the off-season. In this series, I’ll take a look at each of the teams who finished at the bottom of their division and prescribe five off-season fixes that should get them back in the mix next season. Let’s examine the NFC South’s Carolina Panthers.
This position would’ve been unthinkable for Carolina in 2015. They went 15–1 in the regular season, beat NFC powerhouses Seattle and Arizona in the playoffs and reached their second Super Bowl in franchise history. But against Denver’s defense in Super Bowl 50, the Panthers fell apart. MVP Cam Newton looked vulnerable as the Broncos stifled Carolina’s powerhouse offense. This season, the Panthers suffered from the infamous ‘Super Bowl Slump’ and only won six games. But with these five off-season fixes, Carolina could be contenders once again:
- Snap Newton out of the slump
After losing the biggest game of his life on the biggest stage in sports, Newton’s sullen press conference caused many to criticize him. Newton, a mercurial player, hasn’t been the same dominant force that he was in 2015. Whatever the reason, the Panthers and head coach Ron Rivera need to snap him out of it and get him back to his best next season. Newton is the engine of the team, and Carolina depends on him playing well to succeed.
2. Draft a corner in the first round
When the Panthers rescinded the franchise tag and let star corner Josh Norman walk last off-season, they lost one of their best defensive playmakers. Although rookie James Bradberry stepped up and played reasonably well, the Panthers need a true number one corner to compete in the NFC South. In a deep draft for defensive backs, that should be easy for Carolina. Players like Ohio State’s Marshon Lattimore or Washington’s Sidney Jones should still be on the board when Carolina picks eighth overall. Either player gives the Panthers a perfect start on rebuilding their secondary.
3. Upgrade the offensive line
Protecting Newton has been one of Carolina’s biggest flaws in recent years, and was exploited by Denver in Super Bowl 50. There are virtually no blue-chip players across the line, and underwhelming contributors like tackle Mike Remmers should be cut or allowed to walk. Drafting a potential starter in the second round should be a priority, perhaps Utah’s Garrett Boles. But Carolina should also pursue a veteran lineman in free agency. Cowboys guard Ronald Leary, Cincinnati left tackle Andrew Whitworth and guard Kevin Zeitler could all test the market. The Panthers have the cap space to secure at least on veteran lineman.
4. Re-sign Kawann Short and Mario Addison
Carolina cannot afford to watch any more starters hit the market. Short is a dominant presence on the defensive interior, especially against the run. Short was second on the team with six sacks and also had a forced fumble. Defensive end Mario Addison led the Panthers with 9.5 sacks and also forced two fumbles. Both players are in their prime and anchor Carolina’s defensive line. General manager Dave Gettleman cannot afford to let them walk, especially with almost $50 million in cap space (per Sportrac).
5. Get a backup running back
Jonathan Stewart will turn 30 before next season and has a history of injury issues. Carolina’s offense is primarily based on the running game, and if Stewart goes down they struggle to replace his production. The Panthers should bypass the free agent market and draft a young rusher with one of their two third round picks. Running backs drafted in later rounds are usually good value and can provide plenty of production for a few years. Oklahoma’s troubled but talented runner Joe Mixon could fall to later rounds because of domestic violence charges, but the Panthers have been willing to take risks on troubled players before. If even they deem Mixon too much of a risk, they could still get a player like Texas’ D’Onta Foreman or Tennessee’s Alvin Kamara.
