The Carolina Panthers started the season looking like one of the worst teams ever. They ended the season with some hope. Former number one overall pick Bryce Young showcased his growth and had some great stat lines down the stretch. A year ago, he looked like a colossal bust. Now, he looks like someone the team can build around for the future. How can they make this happen? Here are three important questions for the team this offseason.
1. Can The Carolina Panthers Get Creative To Build Around Young?
The Carolina Panthers are not a team that is on top of many free agents’ preferred destinations. It is unlikely the team will be able to attract the likes of Tee Higgins to sign. This team has had to get creative in the past, and they will have to again. Xavier Legette and Adam Thielen were the leading receivers this year. Legette will hopefully continue to improve, but Thielen is not a long-term option. The Panthers may need to look at some cheap veteran talent at the wide receiver position to help Young.
The good news for the Carolina Panthers is the run game looks to be in good hands with Chuba Hubbard. He ran for 1,195 yards and ten touchdowns this year, helping take some pressure off his young quarterback. This season, it made sense not to invest heavily in offensive weapons. The team needs to make sure that Young has the best chance to succeed, and surrounding him with weapons is the best way to do so.
2. Do They Re-Sign Jaycee Horn To A Second Contract?
Jaycee Horn was drafted eighth overall by the Carolina Panthers in the 2021 NFL Draft. He has largely been a disappointment solely because he cannot stay on the field. The son of NFL legend Joe Horn has only played in 37 games over four seasons. This year was his best year by far. He had two sacks, 13 passes deflected, and 68 total tackles. It earned him a Pro Bowl nod. This is where things get tricky for the Panthers. They likely want to keep him, but committing a huge part of your salary cap to an oft-injured player is not great business.
The team could also pick up his fifth-year option and see how the next year goes. This is a riskier strategy but one that might be the smartest. They could also look to sign him to a second deal with something shorter. It would be a compromise where the team could retain flexibility while the player gets a commitment beyond one year. My money is they try to get a deal done. Cornerback is a premium position and when he is on the field, he has shown he can be elite.
3. Are The Panthers A Trade Down Candidate In The NFL Draft?
The Carolina Panthers are currently picking eighth in the NFL Draft. This draft is seen as extremely top-heavy. There are some blue-chip prospects at the top, but it falls off quickly. If the Panthers don’t have a player they love when they are on the clock, they could look to trade down to acquire more draft capital. Their biggest need is on the defensive line. After trading Brian Burns away, the team lacks a dynamic player off the edge.
While they could sit at eight and take a quality edge rusher, they could also find a team that has fallen in love with a prospect and still get what they want. As I said before, this team has to get creative in order to get cheap talent. One of the ways to do that is through the draft. Any way that the team can acquire more draft capital is at least worth looking into. Every year, there are teams to watch as trade down candidates, and the Panthers fit the bill perfectly this year.
Final Thoughts
It was great to see the Carolina Panthers end the season on a high note. Their Week 18 overtime victory against the Atlanta Falcons was one of the year’s most entertaining games. They have some momentum going into next season. If they can build on their success, this team could push their division, as the NFC South isn’t full of powerhouses. What will they do this offseason to augment the roster around their young stars?
