Carolina Panthers free agency 2021: Top 5 targets

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 04: Taylor Moton #72 of the Carolina Panthers blocks Zach Allen #94 of the Arizona Cardinals during the first quarter of their game at Bank of America Stadium on October 04, 2020 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

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Panthers free agency news, Alejandro Villanueva

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – OCTOBER 25: Alejandro Villanueva #78 of the Pittsburgh Steelers plays against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on October 25, 2020 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /

4. Alejandro Villanueva

The Panthers rolled the dice on a trade for Russell Okung to be their starter at left tackle, but injuries caused the veteran to spend more time on the bench than the field. Carolina should let the high-priced veteran walk in free agency.

His potential departure would leave the Panthers with a sizable hole to fill at left tackle. Villanueva is a solid veteran who can step right in and provide adequate protection for Carolina’s quarterbacks. He’s not going to play like a Pro Bowler, but he can stabilize the team’s offensive line with his solid play.

The key for Carolina will be to avoid paying Villanueva massive money. Left tackles do have a nasty habit of getting overpaid in free agency. Villanueva’s representatives will point to his reliability as a reason why he should be the No. 1 left tackle in this year’s free agent class. It’s possible the bidding for his services will get out of hand.

The Panthers need to draw a hard line at offering Villanueva a four-year deal that would pay him like the above-average starter that he is. If they can get him to commit to a reasonable deal, Villanueva could be hugely impactful for Carolina in 2021 and beyond.

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