Fansided

One perfect free agency signing for each NFL team

By Rucker Haringey

HOUSTON, TX - DECEMBER 25: Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell (26) prepares to stiff arm Houston Texans cornerback Johnathan Joseph (24) during the football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Houston Texans on December 25, 2017 at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Ken Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - DECEMBER 25: Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell (26) prepares to stiff arm Houston Texans cornerback Johnathan Joseph (24) during the football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Houston Texans on December 25, 2017 at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Ken Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 32
Next
TAMPA, FL – DEC 09: Donovan Smith (76) of the Bucs has his eyes on Saints defensive end Alex Okafor (57) during the regular season game between the New Orleans Saints and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on December 09, 2018 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – DEC 09: Donovan Smith (76) of the Bucs has his eyes on Saints defensive end Alex Okafor (57) during the regular season game between the New Orleans Saints and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on December 09, 2018 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Carolina Panthers – Donovan Smith

It’s past time for Marty Hurney and company to pull the plug on Matt Kalil at left guard. He missed a lot of time in 2018 and he wasn’t good when he was on the field. Protecting Cam Newton’s blind side must be a huge priority for the Panthers this offseason.

It’s very possible the Buccaneers will elect to franchise Smith, but if they let him go, Carolina needs to pounce. He isn’t a Pro Bowl caliber tackle, but he’s a solid starter that Ron Rivera can trust out there every week. The Panthers haven’t had that sort of comfort at the left tackle spot since Jordan Gross retired.

Smith is also an ideal fit for a team that’s trying to win right now. The Panthers could easily choose to address the tackle position via the draft, but any rookie plugged into that spot is going to face some struggles early on. One missed block could end Newton’s prime. Minimizing that risk by adding a veteran should be very attractive for the Panthers.

If Smith isn’t available, the Panthers could easily turn their free agency attention to any number of edge rushers. They aren’t likely to be players for Clowney or DeMarcus Lawrence, but someone like Frank Clark or even Trey Flowers could be an interesting fit. Carolina has to fix one of their big issues in the trenches via free agency.

Home/NFL Free Agency