The Carolina Panthers are coming into the 2015 offseason after a playoffs appearance despite a losing record and they may focus on offense this winter, as names like Randall Cobb, Torrey Smith, Hakeem Nicks and Bryan Bulaga will be free agents and they could be targets for Cam Newton and this comes as the Panthers likely will let Greg Hardy walk in free agency.
The Panthers made it into the postseason as the NFC South champions despite finishing the year with a losing record and they will be looking to improve into 2015. The offense struggled at times and there is a good chance the team will look for some receiver depth to add alongside impressive rookie Kelvin Benjamin. The free agent class has some big names like Jeremy Maclin and Demaryius Thomas, while Randall Cobb is also hitting the market.
The Panthers fan site at SB Nation lists Cobb, Maclin, Bulaga and Torrey Smith as potential free agent targets, while Nicks, Eddie Royal and Cecil Shorts also could be options. The team needs some more depth on the offensive line and at wide receiver and those could be areas of focus for GM Dave Gettleman. David Newton at ESPN.com took some free agency questions about the Panthers and he said that the team should have between $10 million and $20 million in cap space depending on who gets released over the winter.
Newton suggested that Jeremy Maclin and Torrey Smith could be in the price range for the Panthers, while Cecil Shorts also could be an option to play with Benjamin for Newton. Hakeem Nicks was mentioned last season as a target, but the team was weary of him coming there and dealing with some "family history in Charlotte" and that could be what keeps him out again, but that could change. Newton is also in line to get a new deal soon, as he has a fifth year option coming up and that will cost $15 million in the 2015 season.
Newton wrote that DeAngelo Williams and Thomas DeCoud could be in line to get released and that could help free up some extra money. The salary cap is also expected to rise this season and that could help the Panthers fit some more under the max number. Bulaga is expected to be a main target of teams on the market, while the Panthers now mat look at Michael Oger after he was released by the Titans, while King Dunlap also could be a fit.
Hardy is going to be a free agent this offseason and with his trial about to start this week, it's likely that the Panthers are planning to let him walk. Newton writes that no matter the outcome of the trial, the team is expected to let Hardy go, as owner Jerry Richardson has been "embarrassed" with how the situation has gone. Hardy is an impact player and while the defense was not as good as in 2013, the team showed they don't need him to be successful. Luke Kuechly is the leader of the defense and Newton is clearly the leader on offense.