The Carolina Panthers have been mostly quiet this offseason in free agency, but they could look at some late additions with Greg Jennings, Hakeem Nicks and Reggie Wayne still on the free agent market and this comes as players like Todd Gurley, Ty Montgomery, TJ Yeldon, Kevin White, DeVante Parker, Ronald Darby and Tevin Coleman could be potential draft targets for Cam Newton.
The Panthers made the playoffs last season despite having a losing record and now GM Dave Gettelman is hoping to bounce back after losing to the Seahawks in the postseason. The Panthers have Cam Newton coming back after a down year and the team ranked 19th in passing yards per game and that is why wide receiver remains a focus. According to ESPN.com, Panthers beat writer David Newton writes that wideout is likely where the Panthers will look if they sign any free agents ahead of the draft.
Newton reported last week that the Panthers met with free agent Greg Jennings and they also could look at other options on the market. The team signed Ted Ginn, but they likely want more behind Kelvin Benjamin, as defenses were able to zero in on him last season, although he had a strong 2014 campaign. The team also has Jerricho Cotchery and Newton writes that the team would like a bit more depth at the position behind those players.
Jennings has not had too much attention on the market yet and that could make him a solid fit for the Panthers. The team has a solid amount of cap space, but they can't splurge with Newton's contract extension likely coming over the next year or so. Jennings could be a cheap option with a high upside after playing two seasons with the Vikings. Minnesota released him this offseason and then added Mike Wallace and he has had attention from the Jaguars and Miami Dolphins in free agency so far.
Jennings had 59 catches last season while playing in 16 games for the Vikings and over the past two years he has had 10 touchdown catches. Jennings is reliable player and he has only missed significant time once in his career. While he is now 31 years old and will be 32 during the season, he could be a solid option to lineup alongside Benjamin and it could help the Panthers open things up in the passing game.
According to Newton at ESPN.com, the team has met with Todd Gurley and hosted him in a pre-draft visit and he could be a potential target for the Panthers. The team got rid of DeAngelo Williams this off season and Gurley could be a potential option to work behind Jonathan Stewart on the depth chart. Newton also writes that Tevin Coleman could be an option, as he is coming in after rushing for over 2000 yards for Indiana last year and has been moving up draft boards.
Newton also lists Ty Montgomery as an option at wide receiver for the Panthers, as he likely will be a mid to late round pick and is a solid prospect out of Stanford. Montgomery likely will not get the attention of players like Amari Cooper or Kevin White coming into the draft, but he has explosive skills and good speed on the outside. The Panthers would like to get some deep threats back in action for Newton, as that could help break open the passing game again.
