We're still a long way from the roster being in place for the 2024 season, but the Carolina Panthers have already significantly improved their roster in certain areas. With the first wave of free agency behind us, we look at the biggest moves the Panthers have made thus far.
1. Signing offensive linemen Damien Lewis & Robert Hunt
This should be pretty obvious, right? I mean Bryce Young was sacked 62 times as a rookie and that number could have been significantly higher if it weren't for his escapability. The interior leakage was so bad last year that Young was met with pressure shortly after receiving the snap that he could never really push the ball downfield. Fixing the guard spots had to be No. 1 on Dan Morgan's list of priorities and he accomplished that. Now, did the Panthers overspend? Maybe but at the end of the day, if it fixes the problem then it won't really matter.
2. Trading for wide receiver Diontae Johnson
Johnson has had his issues with drops throughout the course of his career, but my goodness can this guy create separation. I spoke with a few folks that cover the Steelers and they believe he's the best separator in the league. He's going to be open, it's just a matter of whether or not he can stay out of his own head. A change of scenery was needed and here in Carolina, he'll be able to lean on the veteran presence of Adam Thielen. He never really had that mentor in Pittsburgh.
3. Signing outside linebacker D.J. Wonnum
Losing Brian Burns is tough. And if we're being honest, the only way the Panthers can replace him is by using the Moneyball method, right? You know, where Brad Pitt explains to the Oakland A's scouting department, "There's no replacing Giambi. We have to re-create him, re-create him in the aggregate.”
This is basically what the Panthers are going to have to do. Now, when you look at Wonnum's 2023 numbers compared to Burns, you would say they've already done that with each recording eight sacks but there's more to it. Burns had all of the attention on him for one, whereas Wonnum had Danielle Hunter lined up on the opposite side. Secondly, Burns didn't have nearly as many pass rushing opportunities because teams were running the ball so much while playing with the lead.
Getting Wonnum though is a good start in re-creating Burns in the aggregate.
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