The cupboard isn’t bare, but free agency and the draft will be crucial

With the likes of running back Christian McCaffrey, linebacker Luke Kuechly and linebacker Brian Burns, the Panthers have some big-time talent (we’ll get to quarterback Cam Newton in a minute) to build around. They just don’t have enough big-time talent at the moment. That has to change in a hurry. Rhule and Hurney need to get it right in the draft. But free agency could provide a faster fix. All indications are that Tepper is willing to spend whatever it takes to turn his team around quickly.