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Carolina Panthers: 5 offseason needs

By John Buhler

Oct 16, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver Ted Ginn (19) returns a kickoff in the second quarter of the game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 16, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver Ted Ginn (19) returns a kickoff in the second quarter of the game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 24, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Mohamed Sanu (12) avoids the tackle of Carolina Panthers free safety Tre Boston (33) during the second quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 24, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Mohamed Sanu (12) avoids the tackle of Carolina Panthers free safety Tre Boston (33) during the second quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Highly disciplined safeties

Even while McDermott was the Panthers defensive coordinator, Carolina hasn’t really been dynamic in the back-end of its defense. That was particularly troubling given that McDermott specialized in coaching secondary personnel.

Now that he’s in Buffalo and it will be two years since Josh Norman last played for Carolina, it is time for the Panthers to land themselves a great safety in the middle of their defense. This can be either in the draft or in free agency. Carolina can target a hard-hitter at strong safety or a ball hawk at free safety.

Though the Panthers aren’t going to land Eric Berry, they could totally grab a Tony Jefferson or Barry Church in free agency. One might argue that Carolina could use its No. 8 pick in the 2017 to acquire a safety in the upcoming draft. It might even be advantageous to trade back to the mid-teens to get that guy to get a seventh draft pick this spring.

For Carolina to contend with the big dogs in the NFC next season, the Panthers can’t leak like a sieve in the secondary. Their cornerbacks are young, but promising. A boost at safety in either free agency or the draft would be huge for the Panthers. The more technically sound, the better.

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