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The Carolina Panthers should have one of the busiest offseasons in the NFL.
Despite a 3-0 start to the season in 2021, the Panthers ended with an abysmal 5-12 record. There are plenty of areas on this roster that need tons of help, and general manager Scott Fitterer has the resources to make this offseason an impactful one. Carolina has nearly $18 million in cap space before any roster cuts and picks sixth overall in this year's draft. This team's offseason should be one of the most action-packed in the league.
Here are three moves the Panthers must make during the 2022 NFL offseason.
3 Moves the Panthers Must Make This Offseason
3. Re-sign center Matt Paradis
Carolina's offensive line was one of the worst units on the team last season. That group's terrible play hurt every single quarterback who was unlucky enough to play behind them, while paving the way for one of the worst rushing attacks in the league.
Center Matt Paradis was the only member of the line to play at an above-average level. He only allowed one sack on the season while committing one penalty. Paradis is already 32, but there's no sense in letting the only competent member of the offensive line walk away in free agency. Strengthening the case for retaining Paradis is the fact that the Panthers have absolutely no one on roster capable of replacing him. Third-year player Sam Tecklenburg is the next man up at center, and he only played in one game last season.
Paying Paradis is a no-brainer.
2. Draft an offensive lineman early
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The sixth overall pick should be spent on an offensive lineman for a number of reasons.
The Panthers obviously have a need at quarterback, but there isn't a signal-caller worth drafting this early. Teams will reach for quarterbacks like they always do, which could leave some elite linemen on the board for Carolina. The Panthers also allowed a whopping 52 sacks in 2021, one of the worst numbers in the league. No rookie quarterback is going to succeed behind an offensive line that can't protect for their lives.
There will be plenty of great tackle prospects on the board when the Panthers make their selection. Mississippi State's Charles Cross, Alabama's Evan Neal and NC State's Ikem Ekwonu are all worth a high first-round pick. All three would be instant starters at left tackle for the Panthers. Any pick besides an offensive lineman here is the wrong decision.
1. Sign defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi
While he may not be the biggest name on the market, Ogunjobi would be a great signing for the Panthers.
The Panthers will likely lose defensive tackle DaQuan Jones and edge rusher Haason Reddick in free agency, leaving them thin on the defensive line. Enter the consistently underrated Ogunjobi. The former Cleveland Brown was fantastic throughout the 2021 season, racking up seven sacks, 16 quarterback hits and 12 tackles for loss. His pass-rush ability would help compensate for the loss of Reddick while he fills in for Jones. He's also a great player to pair next to former fifth overall pick Derrick Brown.
Ogunjobi did suffer a foot injury during the postseason, but he should be ready for action when the 2022 campaign rolls around.
