As the 2022 NFL offseason starts to get its wheels turning, teams are getting their salary cap numbers together in an effort to see exactly how much they can spend in this year's free-agent period. One of the teams in the top half of the league in terms of available cap space is the Carolina Panthers, who are sitting at just about $20 million in available funds. Most of that, however, will be devoted to their draft picks and the re-signing of star cornerback Stephon Gilmore.
That leaves the Panthers as bargain hunters this off-season as they look for not only their quarterback of the future but also for a team identity. While they are extremely unlikely to find their answer to their QB problems with this year's free-agent class, they can still improve the team by making a few shrewd additions to the roster. Here are three players that will not cost top-dollar, that the Panthers can target as they look to make the playoff for the first time under head coach Matt Rhule.
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Panthers Free Agent Targets for 2022 NFL Offseason
3. Ben Jones
Jones has earned overall Pro Football Focus (PFF) grades of 76.7, 78.6, and 77.4 over the last three seasons. Those are numbers that are absolutely outstanding for the middle-of-the-road type contract that he is about to receive on the open market. Perhaps a few teams could be interested in his ability to protect from the interior–and that could certainly jack up his price–but if he is not getting the huge offers that are blowing him away in free agency, then maybe a chance to start with the Panthers will be enough to persuade him to join the squad.
Re-signing Ben Jones has to be priority 1 for the Titans this offseason pic.twitter.com/azEq9FHwo0
— James Foster (@NoFlagsFilm) January 5, 2022
2. Derek Barnett
Barnett has been extremely consistent in his 48 career games with the Eagles, with his grades falling between 59.0 and 68.0 in each season. He has never gotten a PFF grade below 55.0 for a season in run defense, pass defense, or pass-rush but has never really had a high ceiling as a player. The consistent part is very good and shows that he doesn't lose games for his team, but at the same time he is not going to win any games for you. That will likely cap his market…even as a 25-year-old pass-rusher with a Super Bowl ring. Watch out for the Titans as an option for Barnett, as well. Derek is a Nashville native and a former University of Tennessee Volunteer.
5 years ago today: Derek Barnett breaks Reggie White’s Tennessee sack record while playing against Nebraska in the Music City Bowl. Incredible moment. pic.twitter.com/SSUbqpciQP
— zach ragan (@zachtnt) December 30, 2021
1. Joseph Noteboom
With the aforementioned Gilmore re-signing, it will keep the Panthers out of the running for the elite left tackles on the market, but that could end up being a blessing in disguise. Noteboom has been the swing tackle for the Rams for four years now and has excelled when given the opportunity to start. He has played multiple positions throughout his career and could come to the team as a right tackle or a guard if they get a starting left tackle in the NFL draft. Noteboom earned the right to start somewhere by allowing zero sacks to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' fierce pass-rush in the Divisional round on Sunday afternoon. He got injured in the game so the Panthers must make sure that checks out, but if it does, they should be lining up at his doorstep on the eve of free agency.
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