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Carolina Panthers: 5 offseason needs in 2019

By Rucker Haringey

CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 17: Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers looks on against the New Orleans Saints in the third quarter during their game at Bank of America Stadium on December 17, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 17: Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers looks on against the New Orleans Saints in the third quarter during their game at Bank of America Stadium on December 17, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FL – DEC 02: Eric Reid (25) of the Panthers defends against Cameron Brate (84) of the Bucs during the during the regular season game between the Carolina Panthers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on December 02, 2018 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – DEC 02: Eric Reid (25) of the Panthers defends against Cameron Brate (84) of the Bucs during the during the regular season game between the Carolina Panthers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on December 02, 2018 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

4. Safety

The Panthers decision to sign Eric Reid to a brand new three-year contract means he’s a lock to start at safety. It doesn’t mean he’s going to start at the free safety spot again. In fact, we believe it’s more likely he will slide over to take over for Mike Adams at strong safety.

Adams is fighting a losing battle with Father Time. He was passable for the Panthers for most of last year, but the coaching staff would be foolish to trot the 37-year-old out there every down in 2019. While Reid did a nice job at free safety last season, he’s better suited to handle the physicality required on the strong side of the field.

The only other option at free safety on the current roster is second-year pro Rashaan Gaulden. It’s probably a season too early to hand him a starting position. That means the Panthers have to find the starter at free safety through either free agency or the draft.

Fortunately for Hurney and the front office, there are quite a few high-profile free safeties on the open market this season. Don’t expect the Panthers to spend big on a guy like Tyrann Mathieu or Landon Collins, but they could be in play for the next tier of player. Safety is a position the franchise has ignored for too long. Expect that to change this year.

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