NFL power rankings: Saints, Chargers lead way into 2019

2019 Key Additions: The club was fairly quiet when it came to adding experience players but the Panthers did sign center Matt Paradis, defensive end/outside linebacker and Bruce Irvin and wide receiver Chris Hogan. Ron Rivera’s pass rush should benefit from the addition of former Florida State defensive end Brian Burns. General manager Marty Hurney added a pair of offensive tackles via the draft in Greg Little (2-Mississippi) and Dennis Daley (6-South Carolina). But the most intriguing pick came in the third round in quarterback Will Grier (West Virginia). With starter Cam Newton on the mend from offseason shoulder surgery and entering his ninth season, this was a fascinating move by the front office.

Offseason Review: It has been an offseason of transition as the Panthers watched defensive and Julius Peppers and center Matt Kalil announces their retirements and veteran outside linebacker Thomas Davis move on to the Los Angeles Chargers. Elsewhere, the club watched performers such as wide receiver Devin Funchess and linebacker David Mayo move on as well. More importantly, Rivera also has some work to do in terms of restoring the team’s confidence after the club squandered a 6-2 start on the way to missing the playoffs. And rebounding in the always-formidable NFC South is never an easy task.

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