Tag: Javien Elliott

5 former Panthers players who could be worth bringing back for 2020

Here are five free agents who used to play for the Panthers they should consider.

If it happens, the 2020 NFL season is going to be a unique one. Teams have been unable to hold any kind of offseason program to date except in a virtual setting and the league is looking at cancelling half of the preseason schedule. This means that teams with continuity and familiarity will have an advantage over those that don’t.

That’s bad news for the Carolina Panthers, who have lost more snaps from 2019 than any team in the league by a huge margin. Bringing back some familiar faces could help. Here are five free agents who used to play for the Panthers they should consider.

TE Ed Dickson

Ed Dickson
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The loss of Greg Olsen hit the Panthers hard and they haven’t made any significant additions at tight end since. Especially after Seth DeValve was released due to a non football injury, the team could use more depth at this position. Dickson was never a star, but at the very least he would bring experience to a young and unproven tight end room that needs it. In 2018 with the Seahawks, Dickson scored three touchdowns and caught 12 of 13 targets from Russell Wilson. For the league minimum, he’s worth a look.

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Pro Football Focus: Panthers have 5 of the top 100 pending 2020 free agents

Pro Football Focus: Panthers have 5 of the top 100 pending free agents for 2020.

A lot of interesting names may be on the move come March when free agency begins. The Panthers have more than a dozen pending free agents on defense alone and some of them are key pieces.

Pro Football Focus recently came out with a ranking of the top 100 pending free agents for 2020, and five Carolina players made the list.

Slot CB Javien Elliott

Elliott was ranked No. 94 on PFF’s list. He proved to be an upgrade over Captain Munnerlyn and generally held up pretty well. They graded him 67.2 overall on 439 total snaps played. The Panthers need all the help they can get at cornerback, so it might not be a bad idea to bring him back. He’s far from irreplaceable, though and didn’t get a great coverage grade (65.8).

OL Daryl Williams

Williams came in at No. 91 on the list after earning a 56.1 overall grade. This speaks more to an extremely weak offensive line class than anything else. Williams began the year at left tackle, where he was predictably a bust. After Greg Van Roten got injured, he slid over and played left guard. Either way, Williams struggled in pass protection all year, allowing 12 sacks. It would come as a surprise if he returns for the 2020 season.

DT Gerald McCoy

After signing a one-year deal to lure him away from the division rival Buccaneers, the Panthers got a strong season from McCoy. He was ranked No. 58 on PFF’s list and earned a 72.0 overall grade. McCoy was excellent against the run and also had moments as a pass rusher, totaling five sacks, 13 QB hits and seven tackles for a loss. It’s tough to say whether or not McCoy will come back due to his age.

CB James Bradberry

Pro Football Focus ranked Bradberry No. 53 on their list. Bradberry got off to a hot start in 2019, but his play dropped off in the second half of the season and he gave up too many big gains. PFF gave him a below-average 63.2 coverage grade for the year. Bradberry now wants a major contract extension. While Carolina can’t afford to lose good corners, they also should be wary of giving him elite cornerback money.

FS Tre Boston

Finally, Boston was ranked No. 23 on PFF’s list. His overall rating got a huge boost from an elite coverage grade (90.6). Boston totaled three interceptions and 11 pass breakups. The Panthers have a lot of difficult decisions to make this offseason, but signing Boston to the long-term deal that’s eluded him the last three years shouldn’t be one of them.

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