Potential Panthers free-agent targets include an NFC East QB

Free agency begins March 15 at 4 p.m. ET.

Positional needs: QB, WR, CB, TE, RB

The Panthers outperformed expectations after trading Christian McCaffrey, going 6-5 without their former All-Pro running back. In a winnable division, Carolina might be a couple moves from making the playoffs in 2023. Under interim head coach Steve Wilks, the offense formed an identity with a strong rushing attack, and the defense has playmakers at all three levels.

Carolina is $8,738,728 over the cap, but there are cap maneuvers the team could pull to make signings in free agency. Per Over The Cap, the team could restructure the contracts of WR D.J. Moore and RT Taylor Morton and save $23,870,000. The team could also save money by extending defensive end Brian Burns, who is due to be a free agent next offseason. His cap number is $16,012,000 for the 2023 season.

Gardner Minshew, QB, Philadelphia Eagles

With the ninth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Panthers are expected to be in line to draft Florida QB Anthony Richardson. He's one of the bigger projects at QB, likely unready to be an instant starter. 

The team could bring Sam Darnold back, but it's unclear how attractive the job would be for him knowing he'd be a (well-compensated) seat warmer until Richardson takes over. 

Carolina could consider low-upside veterans such as Joe Flacco and Andy Dalton, but Minshew would be a more interesting addition. 

New HC Frank Reich will be tasked with developing a new QB.

D.J. Chark Jr., WR, Detroit Lions

Chark is available after signing a one-year, $10 million deal with the Lions during the 2022 offseason. He missed six games due to an ankle injury and had 30 receptions, 502 yards and three touchdowns. His only 100-yard game of 2022 came at Carolina.

In 2019, his second year in the league, Chark had 73 receptions for 1,008 yards and eight TD catches. But he has only 90 receptions, 1,362 yards and 10 touchdowns in the three seasons since.

The Panthers lack quality receiver depth behind D.J. Moore. At 26, Chark is still young enough to be a nice complement opposite Moore.

Greedy Williams, CB, Cleveland Browns

Williams could be a value signing if he leaves Cleveland. That appears likely because Williams only played 220 snaps after returning in Week 6 following a hamstring injury. He was inactive (coach's decision) in Week 14. 

Per data from Pro Football Focus, QBs had a below-average passer rating (71.7) when targeting Williams in 2021 but thrived against him in limited attempts in 2022. QBs had a perfect passer rating (158.3) on only eight throws in his direction this season.

He was drafted in the second round (46th overall) out of LSU and would be worth a flyer to pair next to talented corner Jaycee Horn.