Panthers’ early offseason goals in NFL free agency

With the 2022 NFL regular season officially underway, some teams are already thinking about the future. That’s the case for the Carolina Panthers, who missed the playoffs five years in a row. Along with his 9th pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the team can serve many needs in free agency.

The Panthers were active in the playoff race through Week 17. The team went 7-10, finishing him second in the NFC South and 11th in the conference.

So the front office needs to be very active in the market so Carolina can have a comeback season in 2023. trade up. Either way, they address one of your biggest needs. Still, there are other areas for organizations to focus on.

With that said, the Carolina Panthers have three early offseason goals in NFL free agency in 2023:

Leighton Vander Esch – Dallas Cowboyslb

One of the main positions the Panthers have to consider in free agency is the linebacker. Shaq Thompson agreed to a contract restructuring last season and may have to renegotiate for 2023. If he doesn’t, he could leave the team. Even if he stays, the front office should consider signing another player.

An interesting name is Leighton Vander Esch. The veteran made an impact in his 2018 rookie season, earning him Pro Bowl selection and Second Team All-Pro honors. He then dealt with multiple injuries that limited his Dallas impact on the Cowboys’ field.

With 14 games this season, Vander Esch had his best year since his rookie campaign. He made 90 total tackles, 54 of which were solo, including 4 loss tackles. He also had forced fumbles, pass deflections, quarterback hits, and sacks.

His stellar 9-tackle performance against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Wild Card Round shows that he still has something left in the tank. He helped the team keep Rashard White and Leonard Fournette combined in the win as he rushed for 52 yards in his yards and Tom could have ended his Brady career.

Dalton Risner – Denver Broncos, OL

Despite the Denver Broncos’ disappointing season in 2022, there were still bright spots for the team. Dalton Lisner is arguably one of the most impressive guards in the NFL this year and should be earning a bigger paycheck in the offseason.

In 2022, he allowed just three sacks and just two penalties in nearly 1,000 offensive snaps for the Broncos. In total, he has only seven listener penalties in his career.

Since entering the league in 2019, Lissner has started all 62 games he has appeared in. He scored his four straight pass block grades between 69.6 and 72.6, according to Pro Football Focus. He’s also only missed four games in total in his career due to injury, and Lisner, who plays both his spot at guard and his tackle at right, has rebuilt franchises such as the Panthers. It’s a versatile option for

With a new quarterback likely coming in 2023, listeners may be able to offer a higher level of protection. The 27-year-old former Kansas Wildcat could be a long-term solution to his line of Carolina offensives. Still, he should be one of the most coveted offensive linemen in his 2023 offseason.

Marcus Peters – Baltimore Ravens, CB

Another area the Panthers should consider during free agency is the secondary. The team allowed 6.7 yards per pass attempt, ranking in the bottom half of the league. With some cornerbacks hitting free agency and Donte Jackson recovering from a season-ending injury to his Achilles tendon, Carolina could add a veteran and bring the youngster to the position.

Marcus Peters is recovering from an injury-prone year. But at 30, he still has his Pro Bowl and All-Pro experience and has shown that he can provide value to several organizations.

In 13 games this season, he made 47 total tackles, 35 of which were solo. He also had two tackles-for-losses, one quarterback hit, and two forced and recovering fumbles. He recorded an interception against the New England Patriots in Week 2.

With the Baltimore Ravens filled with cornerbacks under contract in 2023, Peters may not have much room on the payroll. Additionally, Marlon Humphrey just earned his third Pro Bowl selection, so the team could choose to pair him with a younger player so they can grow together.

This leaves Peters as an option for the Panthers. He could greatly improve Carolina’s position while also being a reference in the locker room.As the Panthers are still rebuilding, a veteran like Peters looking to revive his career will be a great addition to the younger generation. can be very useful between