Although the Panthers are reported to be interested, Mario Addison will be testing free agency later this month. While Addison is now 32 years old, he has posted at least nine sacks four years in a row, so odds are he will get a respectable offer and won’t be returning to Carolina in 2020. The Dolphins might be the best destination for Addison – they ranked last in sacks last season and have more cap space than any other team right now.
That means the Panthers have to prepare to add another EDGE defender to the rotation, especially if Bruce Irvin (who also happens to be 32) is not in their long-term plans. Today’s potential free agent target is 49ers defensive end Arik Armstead.
Career stats:
Armstead (6-foot-7, 292 pounds) played his college ball at Oregon and then got picked by San Francisco in the first round of the 2016 NFL draft. He’s played 62 games, totaling 19 sacks, 47 quarterback hits, three forced fumbles and 24 tackles for a loss so far.
Pros:
Armstead is one of the best edge defenders in this draft class and Carolina probably won’t be able to afford signing a star like Jadeveon Clowney or Yannick Ngakoue. He’s only 26 years old, so he should be a strong contributor for at least another contract. Armstead is coming off a career-best year with 10 sacks in 2019 and would give Brian Burns the long-term parter in crime he needs.
Cons:
For a first-round pick, Armstead’s numbers might be a bit underwhelming. However, it’s important to remember that he only became a full-time starter two seasons ago. What’s more concerning is that he missed 18 games between 2016-2017 due to shoulder and hand injuries.
Probability: Low
This is a good year to need a veteran edge rusher, but the Panthers simply don’t have the resources to compete for a first-rounder right now. Also, the 49ers seem like they want Armstead back. Drafting a defensive end who can fit Phil Snow’s multiple system is a better bet.
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