The Carolina Panthers are fresh off tying an NFL record for the most losses in a 17-game regular season and produced one of the most cringeworthy offenses in recent memory. So, uh, yeah—they have some work to do this offseason.
To make it a bit simpler, let’s check out their four biggest areas of need as we inch closer to free agency.
1
Wide receiver
The Carolina Panthers will be entering their 30th NFL season in 2024, and it feels like they’ve needed to address the receiver position for about 26 of those. But that need, even over a near-three-decade span, has never seemed more pressing than it does now.
After spending a wealth of resources on last year’s No. 1 overall pick—which, of course, included a very good wideout—the Panthers saddled their eventual selection with a hodgepodge of pass catchers. And with the exception of Adam Thielen, the group underwhelmed.
“Led” by the likes of free-agent signee DJ Chark and second-round pick Jonathan Mingo, Carolina’s receivers were amongst the worst at gaining separation in 2023. That, obviously, wasn’t great for quarterback Bryce Young—whose only reliable target was a 33-year-old who had to be matched up against linebackers out of the slot.
There are quite a few interesting names who could hit the open market—including Cincinnati’s Tee Higgins, Jacksonville’s Calvin Ridley and Tampa Bay’s Mike Evans, who is pretty familiar with new Panthers head coach Dave Canales.
2
Offensive line
Save for the right tackle position, where Taylor Moton hasn’t missed a single snap in four years, there isn’t a spot on the offensive line that’s a 100-percent certainty.
We could start with the interior, where the Panthers started six different players at left guard and seven on the right. We could also raise some questions about the pass-blocking abilities of Ikem Ekwonu, who allowed the second-most sacks amongst all left tackles (11), and center Bradley Bozeman, who allowed the most sacks amongst all centers (eight).
While the returns of left guard Brady Christensen and right guard Austin Corbett will help immensely, the Panthers must—at the very least—add some reliable depth for their 5-foot-10, 200-pound quarterback.
3
Pass rusher
Whether it’s by a long-term agreement or the franchise tag, Brian Burns will likely be remaining with the Panthers in 2024. But if it’s by the latter, will the team’s top pass rusher decide to hold out into the regular season?
Even if that isn’t the case, this defense needs firepower off the edge and they need it as soon as possible. Their lack of pressure on opposing quarterbacks not only resulted in just 27 sacks, but it also played a hand in their 11 takeaways—both the lowest totals in the entire league.
That feeble output came as a result of a few factors, including an injury-plagued season for Marquis Haynes Sr. and the duds that were former Pro Bowler Justin Houston and third-round pick DJ Johnson.
4
Cornerback
The Carolina defense is a completely different group when they have their No. 1 cornerback on the field. But unfortunately for them, Jaycee Horn has missed 29 of a possible 51 games since being drafted with the eighth overall pick in 2021.
But even with Horn, the secondary needs some reinforcements.
While they dug up a few serviceable gems in rookie D’Shawn Jamison and Dicaprio Bootle, the Panthers may be losing a handful of veteran corners this offseason. Troy Hill and CJ Henderson are both free agents while Donte Jackson, their No. 2, could be a cut candidate with with nearly $6 million of cap space waiting on the other side of a release.
