Panthers enter second wave of free agency: 5 players to consider at positions of need

The first wave of free agency is basically over, and now the Panthers can shop for some bargain buys on the open market.

After adding the likes of Diontae Johnson, Robert Hunt, Damien Lewis, A’Shawn Robinson, Dane Jackson and Josey Jewell during the legal tampering period, the Panthers landed former Minnesota Vikings pass rusher D.J. Wonnum on Thursday in free agency. With Wonnum and several other notable free agents now off the board, the market can reset, with most of the remaining players seeking low-risk/high-reward one-year deals.

The Panthers, despite their busy spending this week, still have plenty of needs on their depth chart. This second phase of free agency could help them shore up some of those spots ahead of the NFL Draft in April.

Here are five remaining free agents who make sense for the Panthers:

Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, Kansas City Chiefs

Age: 24, Ht/Wt: 5-7, 207 lbs., Career Stats: 1,845 rushing yards, 765 receiving yards and 19 total touchdowns (4 seasons)

Like most of the players on this list, Edwards-Helaire would be a worthwhile 1-year flier. Edwards-Helaire has a background with new EVP of football operations Brandt Tilis, and the former high pick would make for an experienced member of a running back rotation. Edwards-Helaire could be an early-down backup to starter Chuba Hubbard.

Isaiah Simmons, LB/S, New York Giants

Age: 25, Ht/Wt: 6-4, 238 lbs., Career Stats: 308 tackles, 8.5 sacks, 19 pass breakups and 5 interceptions (4 seasons)

Simmons, a Clemson alum, has some versatility to exploit. While Jeremy Chinn didn’t work out in Ejiro Evero’s defense, Simmons has a bit more experience in 3-4 fronts. Simmons could be a dime linebacker and backup to Jewell and Shaq Thompson at inside linebacker. He’s worth a flier for sure, just based on pedigree alone.

Romeo Okwara, OLB, Detroit Lions

Age: 28, Ht/Wt: 6-4, 255 lbs., Career Stats: 162 tackles, 25 sacks and 6 forced fumbles (8 seasons)

Okwara, who went to Ardrey Kell High in Charlotte, could be useful to his hometown team. The Panthers need to completely rework their edge rusher group, and Okwara is a veteran with plenty of experience. He worked with defensive line coach Todd Wash in Detroit, so there’s also some familiarity with the staff.

Nick Gates, C/G, Washington Commanders

Age: 28, Ht/Wt: 6-5, 312 lbs., Career Stats: 57 career games, 39 career starts (5 seasons)

The Panthers are expected to move veteran guard Austin Corbett to center. While that move could work out, the Panthers need to protect themselves with a Plan B in training camp. Drafting a rookie center isn’t out of the cards, but bringing in a veteran inside lineman with plenty of center experience makes sense. Gates fits that mold.

Tyler Huntley, QB, Baltimore Ravens

Age: 26, Ht/Wt: 6-1, 204 lbs., Career Stats: 1,957 passing yards, 8 passing touchdowns and 7 interceptions; 509 rushing yards and 3 rushing touchdowns (4 seasons)

With Bryce Young and Andy Dalton locked into the top two spots on the depth chart, bringing in another veteran arm might seem strange. But with the new QB3 rule in place — teams can dress three QBs for emergency purposes — the Panthers might as well try to make that third spot count. The Panthers could also try to use Huntley as a short-yardage player in specific packages (think: Taysom Hill or Joe Webb), as he has shown he can both run and pass on offense. That role could protect Young and his 5-10, 200-pound frame from dangerous QB sneaks.

Panthers agree to terms with 2020 first-round pick

The Panthers have started to take 1-year fliers on young veteran players in the second wave of free agency.

On Friday, the Panthers agreed to terms with former Jacksonville Jaguars pass rusher K’Lavon Chaisson on a 1-year contract, a league source confirmed to The Charlotte Observer. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the deal is worth up to $5 million.

Chaisson, 24, was a 2020 first-round pick out of LSU. The 6-foot-3, 245-pound edge rusher has produced 73 tackles, 5 sacks and 23 QB hits in 57 career games.

Chaisson figures to play on special teams and serve as a backup edge rusher. Chaisson joined Wonnum, D.J. Johnson, Amare Barno, Eku Leota and Luiji Vilain in the edge rusher room.

Panthers sign ex-Rams safety Jordan Fuller

The Panthers added to their secondary on Friday following a visit with former Los Angeles Rams safety Jordan Fuller.

Carolina signed Fuller to a 1-year deal on Friday, the team announced. According to NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero, the deal is worth up to $5.25 million.

The 26-year-old defensive back previously worked under defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero in Los Angeles. Fuller, a defensive team captain last season, produced 279 tackles, 4 forced fumbles, 17 pass breakups and 7 interceptions during his four seasons with the Rams.

The 6-foot-2, 203-pound safety fits the mold of the players that the Panthers have pursued this week. He is a young veteran who is coming off of a rookie contract and has history with the franchise. He also worked with cornerbacks coach Jonathan Cooley for the first three years of his career in Los Angeles.