One free agent each NFL team should sign in 2019

5 of 32

NASHVILLE, TN – NOVEMBER 12: Carlos Dunlap #96 of the Cincinnati Bengals stands on the field during a game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on November 12, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Titans defeated the Bengals 24-20. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

Carolina Panthers — Carlos Dunlap

Carolina spends significant draft capital each season on offensive players and yet somehow always seems to lack talent at the skill positions. But between D.J. Moore, a healthy Curtis Samuel, Christian McCaffrey and Ian Thomas, the Panthers have to feel like they’re finally headed in the right direction on that side of the ball.

On the side, their bread and butter, a talent drain could take hold. Julius Peppers can’t play forever and Thomas Davis will be a UDFA in 2019 at 36 years old. Even with their potential departures, that leaves just $12 million in cap space.

If you’re going to put that money toward something, a pass rusher is rarely a bad place to go given how valuable they are to any defense. In terms of edge production, the Panthers only real option for 2019 will be Mario Addison who will turn 32 to open the ’19 season.

Dunlap would give the Panthers another big, physical defensive end capable of pressuring the passer and stopping the run. Carolina doesn’t shy away from older defensive linemen in free agency and Dunlap won’t even be that old by the Panthers’ standards as a 30-year-old free agent.